A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "I'm sweating" in French
Say 'Je transpire' when you're feeling overheated and literally sweating.
Je transpire.
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Use this when the heat is really getting to you, like after a brisk walk in summer or in a stuffy room. It's a direct way to express physical discomfort from heat.
Alternatives
- Je suis en sueur.This emphasizes being covered in sweat, a slightly more descriptive state.
- Je crève de chaud.This is a very casual, strong expression for being extremely hot.
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing 'transpire' like 'trans-PARE'
The final 'e' is silent, and the 'r' sound is pronounced in the back of the throat, not with the tip of the tongue.
Confusing 'transpirer' with 'respirer'
'Respirer' means 'to breathe', so don't mix up these similar-sounding verbs.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
How to say I'm sweating a lot in French?
You can say 'Je transpire beaucoup' for 'I'm sweating a lot'. For a more intense feeling, 'Je suis en pleine sueur' works too.
Is 'Je transpire' too direct for French conversation?
No, 'Je transpire' is a straightforward and common way to state a physical fact. It's not considered rude or overly personal.
What's a more casual way to say I'm hot and sweating?
A very casual and common phrase is 'Je crève de chaud', which literally means 'I'm dying of heat'.
