PrettyFluent
This is just a lesson preview. Get the interactive lesson free on PrettyFluent
😵📅💼

How to Say ‘I had a busy day at work.’ in French

J'ai eu une journée chargée au travail.

zhay ay uh ewn zhoor-NAY shar-ZHAY oh trah-VYE

[zhay ay uh ewn zhoor-NAY shar-ZHAY oh trah-VYE]

Phrase Breakdown

J'ai eu une journée chargée

zhay ay uh ewn zhoor-NAY shar-ZHAY

I had a busy day

Passé composé of 'avoir' plus 'une journée chargée'. Say 'eu' as one sound [y].

Example

Hier, j'ai eu une journée chargée.

Yesterday I had a busy day.

Words in this phrase

J'

[zhay]

I

Pronoun used by the speaker to refer to himself or herself.

Example

J'aime les bonbons.

I like candies.

ai

[ay]

have

Form of 'avoir' used with past participles to make the past tense.

Example

J'ai beaucoup appris grâce à notre discussion.

I learned a lot thanks to our discussion.

eu

[uh]

had

Past participle of avoir; with j'ai eu, it means 'I had'.

Example

J'ai eu l'impression que le ballon allait entrer.

I had the impression that the ball was going to go in.

une

[ewn]

a / an

An indefinite article used before feminine singular nouns.

Example

Une rencontre comme celle-ci peut ouvrir des portes.

A meeting like this can open doors.

journée

[zhoor-NAY]

day

A day seen as a span of time and activity.

Example

Bonne journée !

Have a good day!

chargée

[shar-ZHAY]

busy / loaded

Feminine form of 'chargé'; full of tasks.

Example

Mon agenda est chargé.

My schedule is busy.

au travail.

oh trah-VYE

at work

'Au' = 'à + le'. 'Travail' ends with a 'y' sound: 'tra-vaï'.

Example

Je vais au travail en bus.

I go to work by bus.

Words in this phrase

au

[oh]

at the

A phrase used to indicate location, time, or a condition.

Example

Elle est au parc.

She is at the park.

travail

[trah-VYE]

work

Refers to work, labor, or the workplace context.

Example

Le travail en équipe est essentiel dans ce poste.

Teamwork is essential in this position.

Related guides

French Conversation for Beginners: 6 Everyday Dialogues You'll Actually UseSix basic French conversations for beginners, from greeting a neighbour and introducing yourself to booking a restaurant, with translations, native audio and the phrases that keep them going.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.

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

Download PrettyFluent on the App StoreGet 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