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How to Say ‘I have a problem.’ in French

J'ai un problème.

zh ay uhn proh-blem

[zh ay uhn proh-blem]

Phrase Breakdown

J'ai

zh ay

I have

Used with avoir to say you have something or to express a state.

Example

J'ai faim.

I am hungry.

Words in this phrase

J'

[zh]

I have

Shortened form of je used before a vowel sound; part of the expression meaning I have.

Example

J' ai un souci avec la chaudière.

I have an issue with the boiler.

ai

[ay]

have

Form of avoir used with j' to say I have.

Example

J'ai un problème depuis ce matin.

I have a problem since this morning.

Un problème

uhn proh-blem

a problem

A noun phrase meaning an issue or difficulty.

Example

J'ai un problème.

I have a problem.

Words in this phrase

un

[uhn]

a

Masculine singular indefinite article meaning a or an.

Example

Un voisin a eu le même souci.

A neighbor had the same issue.

problème

[proh-blem]

problem

Something that is wrong or needs fixing.

Example

Ce problème concerne l'eau chaude.

This problem concerns the hot water.

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