Physical states and sensations
États physiques et sensations
- Express what you need.
- Tell how your body feels.
- The stressed pronouns: Moi, Toi, Lui...
Learn how to express physical states and sensations in French using key vocabulary like "avoir chaud" (to be hot), "fatigué" (tired), and "souffrir" (to suffer). This lesson helps you describe feelings of discomfort, fatigue, and needs clearly with phrases like "Moi, j'ai mal au dos" and "Tu dois te reposer".
Listening & reading materials
Practice vocabulary in context with real materials.
Vocabulary (14) Share Copied!
Exercises Share Copied!
These exercises can be done together during conversation lessons or as homework.
Exercise 1: Reorder sentences
Instruction: Make correct sentences and translate.
Exercise 2: Match a word
Instruction: Match the translations
Exercise 3: Cluster the words
Instruction: Sort the following words into two distinct categories depending on whether they describe a sensation or a state of the body.
Sensation physique
État du corps
Exercise 4: Translate and use in a sentence
Instruction: Pick a word, translated and use the word in a sentence or dialogue.
1
Faible
Weak
2
Souffrir
To suffer
3
Prendre soin de soi
Taking care of oneself
4
Être malade
To be ill
5
Le sommeil
Sleep
Exercice 5: Conversation exercise
Instruction:
- How do the people feel in those situations? (How do the people feel in those situations?)
Teaching guidelines +/- 10 minutes
Example phrases:
|
Il est épuisé. He is exhausted. |
|
Je me sens fatigué le matin. I feel tired in the morning. |
|
Je me sens épuisé après le travail. I feel exhausted after work. |
|
J'ai besoin de boire quelque chose. I need to drink something. |
|
J'ai soif. I am thirsty. |
|
J'ai faim. I am hungry. |
|
Elle a froid. She is feeling cold. |
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Je me sens chaud. I feel warm. |
| ... |
Exercise 6: Dialogue Cards
Instruction: Select a situation and practice the conversation with your teacher or fellow students.
Exercise 7: Multiple Choice
Instruction: Choose the correct solution
1. Je ___ repose après une longue journée de travail.
(I ___ rest after a long day of work.)2. Tu ___ souvent quand il fait froid.
(You ___ often when it is cold.)3. Il ___ repose ce soir pour être en forme demain.
(He ___ rests tonight to be in shape tomorrow.)4. Nous ___ de la fatigue après le voyage.
(We ___ from fatigue after the trip.)Exercise 8: A weekend to rest
Instruction:
Verb Tables
Souffrir - Souffrir
Présent
- Je souffre
- Tu souffres
- Il/Elle souffre
- Nous souffrons
- Vous souffrez
- Ils/Elles souffrent
Se reposer - Se reposer
Présent
- Je me repose
- Tu te reposes
- Il/Elle se repose
- Nous nous reposons
- Vous vous reposez
- Ils/Elles se reposent
Avoir - Avoir
Présent
- J’ai
- Tu as
- Il/Elle a
- Nous avons
- Vous avez
- Ils/Elles ont
Prendre soin de - Prendre soin de
Présent
- Je prends soin de
- Tu prends soin de
- Il/Elle prend soin de
- Nous prenons soin de
- Vous prenez soin de
- Ils/Elles prennent soin de
Exercise 9: Les pronoms toniques: Moi, Toi, Lui...
Instruction: Fill in the correct word.
Grammar: The stressed pronouns: Moi, Toi, Lui...
Show translation Show answerseux, moi, lui, vous, elle, elles, Moi
Grammar Share Copied!
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Verb conjugation tables for this lesson Share Copied!
Souffrir to suffer Share Copied!
present
| French | English |
|---|---|
| (je/j') souffre | I suffer |
| (tu) souffres | You suffer |
| (il/elle/on) souffre | he/she/one suffers |
| (nous) souffrons | we suffer |
| (vous) souffrez | You suffer |
| (ils/elles) souffrent | they suffer |
Se reposer to rest Share Copied!
present
| French | English |
|---|---|
| (je/j') je me repose | I rest |
| tu te reposes | You rest |
| il/elle/on se repose | He/she/one rests |
| nous nous reposons | We rest |
| vous vous reposez | You are resting |
| ils/elles se reposent | They rest |
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Understanding Physical States and Sensations in French
This lesson introduces fundamental vocabulary and expressions to describe how we feel physically and emotionally in French. You will learn to express sensations such as heat, cold, hunger, thirst, and pain, as well as body states like fatigue and weakness. This knowledge is essential for everyday conversations, especially when discussing health or well-being.
Key Vocabulary: Sensations and States
The lesson separates words into two useful categories:
- Physical Sensations: avoir chaud, avoir froid, la douleur, la faim, la soif
- Body States: fatigué, faible, le sommeil
French Pronouns and Expressions
You will practice using stressed pronouns such as moi, toi, lui, eux to emphasize who experiences these sensations or states:
- Moi, j'ai chaud aujourd'hui, et toi ?
- Tu as faim ? Nous pouvons manger ensemble.
- Elle est fatiguée, elle doit se reposer.
- Prends soin de toi quand tu es malade.
- Vous avez froid ? Je peux vous prêter mon manteau.
- Lui et eux ont mal après le sport.
Practical Dialogues
Conversations cover contexts like visiting a doctor, chatting during a coffee break at work, and talking about feelings after exercise. These dialogues help you describe symptoms, ask questions, and give advice.
Important Verbs and Conjugation Practice
The lesson focuses on common verbs like souffrir (to suffer), se reposer (to rest), avoir (to have), and expressions like prendre soin de (to take care of). You'll learn their present tense conjugations with examples such as:
- Je me repose après une longue journée de travail.
- Tu souffres souvent quand il fait froid.
- Il se repose ce soir pour être en forme demain.
- Nous souffrons de la fatigue après le voyage.
A Sample Story: A Weekend to Rest
The short story illustrates these verbs and vocabulary in context, showing a family managing tiredness and discomfort during the weekend.
Language Notes: Differences Between English and French
In French, physical sensations are often expressed with the verb avoir (to have), such as avoir chaud (to be hot) and avoir froid (to be cold), rather than using être (to be) as in English. Also, reflexive verbs like se reposer (to rest oneself) use reflexive pronouns which vary with the subject. These subtle differences are key to sounding natural in French.
Useful Phrases and Translations
- J’ai faim – I am hungry.
- Elle a froid – She is cold.
- Tu dois te reposer – You must rest.
- Moi, je souffre d’une douleur au dos – I am suffering from back pain.
This lesson offers a solid foundation for learners to express physical conditions accurately and comfortably in French.
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