How to Say ‘I have a small problem.’ in French
J'ai un petit problème.
zhay ay uhn puh-TEE proh-BLEM
[zhay ay uhn puh-TEE proh-BLEM]
Phrase Breakdown
J'
[zhay]
I
Contracted form of je before a vowel, used here in j'ai.
J' ai besoin de prévenir le propriétaire.
I need to inform the landlord.
ai
[ay]
have
Form of avoir used with j' to say I have.
J'ai : le mot ai montre que j'ai un souci.
J'ai: the word ai shows that I have an issue.
Un petit problème
uhn puh-TEE proh-BLEM
a small problem
A polite way to say there is a minor issue.
J'ai un petit problème avec la porte.
I have a small problem with the door.
Words in this phrase
un
[uhn]
a
Indefinite article meaning a or one.
J'ai un petit problème avec la douche.
I have a small problem with the shower.
petit
[puh-TEE]
small
Means small, little, or minor.
C'est un petit problème, mais c'est gênant.
It's a small problem, but it's annoying.
problème
[proh-BLEM]
problem
An issue or trouble to explain to someone.
Mon problème est que l'eau chaude ne marche plus.
My problem is that the hot water no longer works.
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