How do you say "I don't feel well." in French?

"I don't feel well." in French is "Je ne me sens pas bien.". This phrase is commonly used in France.

What does "Je ne me sens pas bien." mean in English?

"Je ne me sens pas bien." means "I don't feel well." in English. Usage tip: A very common phrase for feeling unwell in general. Literally: 'I do not feel myself well.'

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How to Say ‘I don't feel well.’ in French

Je ne me sens pas bien.

zhuh nuh muh sahn pah byan

[zhuh nuh muh sahn pah byan]

💬 Usage Tip: A very common phrase for feeling unwell in general. Literally: 'I do not feel myself well.'

🇫🇷 In France: This is a normal, clear way to start explaining you are sick before describing specific symptoms.

Phrase Breakdown

Je ne me sens pas

zhuh nuh muh sahn pah

I do not feel

This is the negated part of the reflexive verb se sentir, meaning to feel.

Example

Je ne me sens pas très bien.

I do not feel very well.

Words in this phrase

[zhuh]

Subject pronoun for speaking about yourself.

Example

Je ne me sens pas bien ce matin.

I do not feel well this morning.

[nuh]

not

Used as part of the negative structure ne ... pas.

Example

Je ne peux pas travailler.

I cannot work.

[muh]

myself

Reflexive pronoun with sentir, meaning feel oneself.

Example

Je me sens un peu mieux.

I feel a little better.

sens

[sahn]

feel

Verb meaning feel in the sense of health or condition.

Example

Je sens une douleur ici.

I feel a pain here.

pas

[pah]

not

Second part of the negation ne ... pas.

Example

Je ne tousse pas la nuit.

I do not cough at night.

bien

[byan]

well

Describes feeling fine or healthy; with negation it means unwell.

Example

Je ne me sens pas bien aujourd'hui.

I do not feel well today.

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