🙋🧳✋☝️

How to Say ‘I only have hand luggage.’ in French

J'ai seulement un bagage à main.

zhem ay suh-luh-mahn uhn bah-GAHZH ah manh

[zhem ay suh-luh-mahn uhn bah-GAHZH ah manh]

💬 Usage Tip: Seulement goes right after the verb. Swap the object to say other things: J'ai seulement une valise "I only have one suitcase".

Phrase Breakdown

J'ai seulement

zhem ay suh-luh-mahn

I only have

'Seulement' means 'only'. Say 'seul-mahn': the middle 'e' is silent and the final 't' is silent.

Example

J'ai seulement dix euros.

I only have ten euros.

Words in this phrase

[zhem]

I (contracted form of « je »)

« Je » becomes « J’ » before a vowel: « J’aime » = “I like/I love”. Very frequent for opinions about anime.

Example

J' aime ce studio d’animation.

I like this animation studio.

[ay]

have (1st person singular)

« ai » is « avoir » conjugated for « je ». It’s the auxiliary used in the passé composé: « j’ai commencé » = “I started / I have started”.

Example

J’ ai regardé la bande-annonce.

I watched the trailer.

seulement

[suh-luh-mahn]

Only

Exclusively or just.

Example

Je paye seulement en espèces.

I pay only in cash.

un bagage à main.

uhn bah-GAHZH ah manh

a carry-on bag.

This is the object of the sentence. Link the words smoothly: 'un ba-gazh a man'.

Example

Voici un bagage à main.

Here is a carry-on bag.

Words in this phrase

[uhn]

a / an

An indefinite article used before a masculine singular noun.

Example

Un grand repas est prévu pour son anniversaire.

A big meal is planned for his/her birthday.

bagage

[bah-GAHZH]

bag, piece of luggage

A masculine noun for a suitcase or bag you travel with.

Example

Mon bagage est très lourd.

My bag is very heavy.

[ah]

for, with (in compound nouns)

Preposition linking two nouns to show purpose or manner; here 'bagage à main' means hand luggage.

Example

une brosse à dents

a toothbrush

main

[manh]

hand

The hand; in class this usually means raising your hand to speak.

Example

Dans « Levez la main. », « main » désigne le geste pour demander la parole.

In “Raise your hand.”, “main” refers to the gesture used to ask to speak.

Guides for French learners

Ordering in French: Cafés, Bakeries and Restaurants (with Menu Vocabulary)How to order in French at a café, a bakery and a restaurant: the phrases, the questions staff ask, and the menu and food vocabulary to understand the answers.Hello in French: Greetings, Good Evening and How to Answer "How Are You?"How to say hello in French, when to switch to good evening, how to ask how are you and what to answer, with tu vs vous and native audio.

Get the Full Learning Experience

This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.

Pronunciation Feedback

AI-powered feedback on what you say out loud

Spaced Repetition

Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice

Immersive Roleplaying

Practice real conversations with AI partners

Lessons for Your Situation

Request lessons tailored to your specific needs

Get Full Lesson

What Learners Are Saying

“Moved to Lyon for a culinary apprenticeship. The food and restaurant lessons were exactly what I needed — my French colleagues were genuinely impressed.”

Tom H., 38, Chef

“Studying in Paris and the academic French I learned in school was useless for daily life. This app filled the gap in weeks, not months.”

Nina W., 29, Graduate Student

“Learning a language has never been as immediately impactful. Now I can charm the locals and navigate the food scene like a boss.”

Alex M., 42, Software Engineer