French - Abilities

Je sais ___.

I can ___.

Meaning: I can ___.

When to use: Use this to state that you have the ability or skill to do something. Put an infinitive verb after 'Je sais' (e.g. nager, cuisiner).

Tip: Don't confuse 'Je sais...' (skill) with 'Je peux...' (possibility or permission).

Je ne sais pas ___.

I can't ___.

Meaning: I can't ___.

When to use: Say this to explain you do not have a skill. Use an infinitive after 'Je ne sais pas' (e.g. conduire).

Je peux ___ un peu.

I can ___ a little.

Meaning: I can ___ a little.

When to use: Use this to say you have a limited ability. Follow 'Je peux' with an infinitive, then 'un peu'.

Je sais ___.

I know how to ___.

Meaning: I know how to ___.

When to use: Use this to state a learned ability or knowledge. Put an infinitive verb after 'Je sais'.

Je ne sais pas ___.

I don't know how to ___.

Meaning: I don't know how to ___.

When to use: Use this to say you lack a specific skill. Place an infinitive after 'pas' (e.g. nager).

Je suis doué(e) pour ___.

I'm good at ___.

Meaning: I'm good at ___.

When to use: Say this to describe a strength. Use 'doué' (masc.) or 'douée' (fem.) and then a noun or an infinitive.

Tip: Remember to add -e (douée) for a feminine speaker; beginners often forget the agreement.

Je ne suis pas très doué(e) pour ___.

I'm not good at ___.

Meaning: I'm not good at ___.

When to use: Use this to admit a weakness. 'Pas très' softens the statement and feels natural.

C'est facile pour moi de ___.

It's easy for me to ___.

Meaning: It's easy for me to ___.

When to use: Use this to say something is easy for you. Follow 'de' with an infinitive verb.

J'ai du mal à ___.

It's hard for me to ___.

Meaning: It's hard for me to ___.

When to use: Use this natural spoken phrase to say something is difficult. Put an infinitive after 'à'.

Tu sais ___ ?

Do you know how to ___?

Meaning: Do you know how to ___?

When to use: Ask this to check whether someone has a skill. Use an infinitive after 'Tu sais' (e.g. nager).

Tu peux ___ tout seul ?

Can you ___ by yourself?

Meaning: Can you ___ by yourself?

When to use: Use this to ask if someone can do something independently. Say 'tout seul' (masc.) or 'toute seule' (fem.).

Je peux le faire tout seul.

I can do it by myself.

Meaning: I can do it by myself.

When to use: Say this to let someone know you can handle something alone. Use 'tout seul' (masc.) or 'toute seule' (fem.).

Je peux pas le faire sans aide.

I can't do it without help.

Meaning: I can't do it without help.

When to use: Common spoken form to say you need assistance. Informally people say 'Je peux pas...' instead of 'Je ne peux pas...'.