A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "I'm excited" in French
Express anticipation and excitement for an upcoming event or activity in French.
Je suis impatient(e) de...
zhuh swee-z(uh)m-PAH-shawn(t) duhneutral
French TTS · 0:01
Use this when you're looking forward to something specific, like a trip, a concert, or a new project. It's about eager anticipation rather than general happiness.
Alternatives
- J'ai hâte de...More common and slightly more casual, directly means 'I can't wait'.
- Je suis ravi(e) de...Means 'I am delighted' and is often used after an event has happened or for a very positive feeling.
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing the 't' in 'impatient'
The final 't' is usually silent unless followed by a vowel, but here it's pronounced because of the 'de'.
Forgetting the 'de'
You need 'de' before the verb or noun that you are excited about.
A small cultural note
While 'impatient' can sometimes imply annoyance in English, in French, 'Je suis impatient(e) de...' strongly conveys positive anticipation.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
When do I use 'impatient' vs 'excited'?
'Impatient' in French specifically means looking forward to something. For general happiness or enthusiasm, other words are better.
How do I say 'I'm excited about the trip'?
You would say 'Je suis impatient(e) du voyage' or 'J'ai hâte de faire le voyage'.
Is 'impatient' always positive?
When used with 'de' and an activity, it's positive anticipation. On its own, 'impatient' can mean 'impatient' in the sense of being annoyed by delay.
