French grammar
Je dois, il faut, pas besoin
Talk about what you have to do.
From the scene Je dois partir (I have to go)
In short
Je dois + infinitive = I have to. Il faut + infinitive is a general must and never changes.
- I have to leave je dois partir
- you have to work tu dois travailler
- one has to sleep il faut dormir
- no need pas besoin
Your turn
Which one goes with you have to work?
Options: je dois partir · il faut dormir · tu dois travailler
Show answer
you have to work → tu dois travailler
How it works
Je dois + infinitive = a personal obligation (I have to). Il faut + infinitive = a general rule (one must / it has to be done); il faut never changes.
Good to know
Pas besoin = no need, it's not necessary.
I have to leave je dois partir
Javi
Je dois partir. Je dois travailler.
I have to go. I have to work.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank). Je dois travailler.
Options: Il faut dormir · Je dois partir · Tu dois travailler
Show answer
Javi
Je dois partir. Je dois travailler.
I have to go. I have to work.
you have to work tu dois travailler
Nuria
Encore ? Tu dois travailler autant ?
Again? Do you have to work so much?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Encore ? (blank) autant ?
Options: Tu dois travailler · Je dois partir · Il faut dormir
Show answer
Nuria
Encore ? Tu dois travailler autant ?
Again? Do you have to work so much?
one has to sleep il faut dormir
no need pas besoin
Javi
Merci, mais pas besoin.
Thanks, but there's no need.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Merci, mais (blank).
Options: tu dois travailler · pas besoin · je dois partir
Show answer
Javi
Merci, mais pas besoin.
Thanks, but there's no need.
Watch out
Il faut never changes person — not « je faut » or « tu faut »; for yourself say je dois.
Common mistake
Not Il fait or Il faut de here. General rule: the rent has to be paid.
Il faut payer le loyer, Nuria.
The rent has to be paid, Nuria.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| I have to leave | je dois partir |
|---|---|
| you have to work | tu dois travailler |
| one has to sleep | il faut dormir |
| no need | pas besoin |
More lines from the story
- JaviIl faut payer le loyer, Nuria.The rent has to be paid, Nuria.
- NuriaPas besoin... mais je viens avec toi quand même.It's not necessary... but I'm coming with you anyway.
- JaviOui... il faut payer les factures.Yes... the bills have to be paid.