A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "I'm scared" in French
Express fear or being scared in French with 'J'ai peur.'
J'ai peur.
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Use this when you feel genuinely frightened, like if you're walking alone at night in a deserted area or if a dog barks aggressively at you. It's a direct way to communicate your fear.
Alternatives
- Je suis effrayé(e).This implies a more sudden fright or shock.
- J'ai des frissons.This means 'I'm getting chills,' often from fear or cold.
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing 'peur'
The 'eu' sound is like the 'u' in 'fur' but without rounding your lips; avoid saying 'pour'.
Confusing 'avoir' and 'être'
Fear is expressed with 'avoir' (to have), so it's 'J'ai peur' (I have fear), not 'Je suis peur'.
A small cultural note
While 'J'ai peur' is direct, French culture might sometimes favor more understated expressions of unease depending on the context.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
How to say I am very scared in French?
You can add an intensifier like 'très' (very) to say 'J'ai très peur.' You could also say 'J'ai tellement peur' (I'm so scared).
Is 'J'ai peur' for serious fear only?
It can be used for mild apprehension too, though context is key. For example, 'J'ai peur des araignées' means 'I'm scared of spiders'.
What's the difference between 'J'ai peur' and 'Je suis effrayé'?
'J'ai peur' is a general state of fear, while 'Je suis effrayé(e)' often implies a more sudden fright or shock.
