Log inSign up

Je suis soulagé de trouver l'auberge après la randonnée.

Je suis soulagé de trouver l'auberge après la randonnée.
I am relieved to find the hostel after the hike.
From Lesson 275:Same-subject infinitives (de + infinitive)·French

Questions & Answers about Je suis soulagé de trouver l'auberge après la randonnée.

Why do we use de trouver instead of the subjunctive here, like que je trouve?
The phrase être soulagé (to be relieved) expresses an emotion, which usually triggers the subjunctive. However, because the person who is relieved and the person finding the hostel are the same (je), we must use the infinitive (trouver) instead. If the subjects were different, you would use the subjunctive: Je suis soulagé que tu trouves l'auberge (I am relieved that you find the hostel).
Why is the word de needed before trouver?
In French, adjectives expressing emotion or a state of mind (like soulagé, content, heureux, or triste) require the preposition de when they are followed directly by an infinitive verb.
If a woman says this, does the spelling of soulagé change?
Yes. Because soulagé (relieved) is an adjective, it must agree with the subject. A woman would write Je suis soulagée, adding an e at the end. However, it sounds exactly the same when spoken.
Does auberge just mean a youth hostel?
It can, but une auberge traditionally means an inn or a country guesthouse. If you specifically want to talk about a youth hostel, the full term is une auberge de jeunesse.

Learn Je suis soulagé de trouver l'auberge après la randonnée and more in French

All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.

  • ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
  • ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
  • ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free
Start learning French →