French · Body & Health
"I feel sick" in French: je ne me sens pas bien
je ne me sens pas bien
I feel sick in French is often je ne me sens pas bien. Soften with un peu. For nausea you may add j'ai la nausée, but keep the full je ne me sens pas bien phrase.
Canceling plans
Désolé, je ne me sens pas bien ce soir.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce je ne me sens pas bien
Say it
zhuh nuh muh sahn pah byen
/ʒə nə mə sɑ̃ pa bjɛ̃/
Je ne me sens pas bien: zhuh nuh muh sahn pah byen. Sens has a nasal en. Speak it gently.
"I feel sick" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| je ne me sens pas bien | I don't feel well / I feel sick Default. | Default. |
| je me sens mal | I feel bad / unwell Shorter. | Shorter. |
| je ne me sens pas très bien | I don't feel great Softer. | Softer. |
| ça ne va pas | I'm not okay Very casual. | Very casual. |
How to use je ne me sens pas bien in real life
- 1Canceling plans
Désolé, je ne me sens pas bien ce soir.
Sorry, I don't feel well tonight.
Full phrase.
- 2At work
Je rentre — je ne me sens pas bien.
I'm going home—I don't feel well.
Exit line.
- 3Doctor waiting room
Depuis hier, je ne me sens pas bien.
Since yesterday, I haven't felt well.
Duration.
Mistakes English speakers make with je ne me sens pas bien
Incorrect: Je suis sick.
Correct: Je ne me sens pas bien.
Use the French phrase.
Incorrect: Je ne sens pas bien.
Correct: Je ne me sens pas bien.
Keep the reflexive me.
Good to know
French workplaces accept je ne me sens pas bien as a clear leave signal; you don't need graphic details. Pharmacies are a first stop for mild cases. For emergencies, people say j'ai besoin d'un médecin.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Leaving a party early
ChatPal
Ça va ? Tu es pâle.
You okay? You look pale.
You
Non… je ne me sens pas bien.
No… I don't feel well.
ChatPal
Viens t'asseoir. Tu ne te sens vraiment pas bien ?
Come sit. You really don't feel well?
You
Je ne me sens pas bien — je vais rentrer.
I don't feel well—I'm going home.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"I feel sick" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "I feel sick" in French
How do you say I feel sick in French?
Je ne me sens pas bien.
Do I need the me?
Yes — se sentir is reflexive here.
How do you soften it?
Je ne me sens pas très bien.
How do you pronounce sens?
sahn (nasal).
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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