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How to Say ‘But I'm driving tonight, so no alcohol for me.’ in French

Mais je conduis ce soir, donc pas d'alcool pour moi.

meh zhuh kohn-DWEE suh swahr dohnk pah d al-KOL poor mwah

[meh zhuh kohn-DWEE suh swahr dohnk pah d al-KOL poor mwah]

Phrase Breakdown

Mais je conduis ce soir,

meh zhuh kohn-DWEE suh swahr

But I'm driving tonight,

'Mais' (but) introduces a polite objection. Pause slightly at the comma.

Example

Mais je travaille ce soir.

But I'm working tonight.

Words in this phrase

Mais

[meh]

But

Used to introduce a contrast.

Example

Il est petit mais fort.

He is small but strong.

[zhuh]

Pronoun used by the speaker to identify themselves.

Example

Je suis content.

I am happy.

conduis

[kohn-DWEE]

drive

Present tense of 'conduire' (to drive) for 'je'.

Example

Je conduis prudemment.

I drive carefully.

[suh]

this / that

Demonstrative adjective used before a masculine singular noun, like ce tir.

Example

Ce match est fou !

This match is crazy!

soir

[swahr]

evening

Refers to the evening time, often after work or during an event.

Example

Ce soir, je vous envoie un message de remerciement.

This evening, I am sending you a thank-you message.

donc pas d'alcool pour moi.

dohnk pah d al-KOL poor mwah

so no alcohol for me.

'Donc' means 'so'. Pronounce the final 'c' as a 'k': 'donk'.

Example

Il pleut, donc pas de promenade.

It's raining, so no walk.

Words in this phrase

donc

[dohnk]

so / therefore

Connector introducing a consequence.

Example

Il pleut, donc je reste.

It's raining, so I'm staying.

pas

[pah]

not (negation)

Second part of negation in “ne… pas.” Together: “Don’t worry.”

Example

Ne t’inquiète pas, je ne dis rien.

Don’t worry, I’m not saying anything.

[d]

(any) / of

Contracted 'de' used after a negation instead of an article.

Example

Je n'ai pas d'argent.

I have no money.

alcool

[al-KOL]

alcohol

Masculine noun for alcoholic drinks.

Example

Je ne bois pas d'alcool.

I don't drink alcohol.

pour

[poor]

for

Indicating purpose or reason.

Example

C'est pour toi.

It's for you.

moi

[mwah]

The person speaking or writing.

Example

Ils ont dîné chez moi.

They had dinner at my place.

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.

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