The French expression "J'avoue" explained

On this page, we are going to show you all the things you ever wanted to know about the basic French idiom “J’avoue”.

It includes a complete explanation of what it is and how to use it in a casual conversation with an audio example. But wait, we also added super useful stuff like slow pronunciation audio, synonym, dialogue example and more!

Oh and you can also find our others idioms pages on this page plus all our French words guides on this page. Have fun!

Table of Contents

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Artboard 1
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French to English translation

How to pronounce it

Slow pronunciation

Normal pronunciation

What does j'avoue mean?

Definition

“J’avoue” literally means “I confess /admit“. But during the last decade it became very popular among young generations as a way to say “Totally / That’s true / I agree / Don’t tell me about it / etc.” depending on the context.

It’s like a verbal nod used after a statement to acknowledge its reception and show agreement. That’s why it’s useful when you want to show your interlocutor that you are actively listening to what he/she is saying.

Finally it can also, sometimes, have a meaning of: “I didn’t think it through, but now that you say it: yes, I agree

How to use it

When you want to show that you are actively listening, I when you agree with the person you are talking to, you can use “J’avoue“.

Example :

  • Il s’est vraiment comporté comme un idiot → He really behaved like an idiot
  • J’avoue → Totally / I agree / Don’t tell me about it / …
 

But also:

  • Les chats qui ont trois couleurs sont forcément des femelles → Cats with 3 colors are necessarily females
  • J’avoue ! → I didn’t think it through, but now that you say it, yes, it’s true!
 

Note that we only use it in the first person singular. So don’t use “Tu avoues” because it doesn’t have the same meaning at all, it means simply “You admit“.

Synonyms and similarities

  • C’est vrai → That’s true
  • C’est clair → That’s

Everyday life dialogue example with audio

Audio dialogue by French natives

Dialogue audio

Dialogue transcription

Putain, j’ai la flemme de travailler “
” Fuck, I’m too lazy to work “
” Moi aussi, c’est ennuyant… “
” Me too, it’s annoying “
” J’avoue “
” Totally “
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