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How to Say ‘I paid for it’ in French

Je l'ai payée

zhuh l ay peh-YAY

[zhuh l ay peh-YAY]

💬 Usage Tip: The extra e in payée shows that "it" is a feminine thing, like la veste "the jacket". You can't hear it, but you write it.

Phrase Breakdown

Je

[zhuh]

I

Pronoun used by the speaker to identify themselves.

Example

Je suis content.

I am happy.

l'

[l]

it

Refers to a previously mentioned noun.

Example

Je l'ai acheté hier.

I bought it yesterday.

ai

[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.

payée

[peh-YAY]

paid

Past participle of 'payer', feminine to agree with a feminine object.

Example

La robe, je l'ai payée cher.

The dress, I paid a lot for it.

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