J'éprouve du stress.

I experience stress.

Breakdown of J'éprouve du stress.

• je: I
• du: some
• le stress: the stress
• éprouver: to experience

Questions & Answers about J'éprouve du stress.

Why is the subject pronoun je contracted to j' in this sentence?

In French, when je precedes a verb that begins with a vowel (such as éprouver), it contracts to j' to make pronunciation smoother. This is why you see J'éprouve instead of Je éprouve.

What is the function of the partitive article du in J'éprouve du stress?

Du is a partitive article that indicates an unspecified amount of a non-countable noun—in this case, stress. It comes from the contraction of de + le and tells us that the speaker is experiencing some stress, not a specific or quantifiable amount.

What does the verb éprouver mean, and are there any common synonyms?

The verb éprouver means to experience or to feel, especially in relation to emotions or sensations. A common synonym is ressentir, which also means to feel, though éprouver can sometimes imply a more intense or prolonged experience.

Is stress a native French word, or is it borrowed from English?

Stress in this context is an example of a borrowing from English. Despite its origins, it is fully integrated into French and follows French grammar rules—as seen with the use of the masculine partitive article du.

What tense is used in J'éprouve du stress and what does it indicate about the action?

The sentence is in the present indicative tense. This tense indicates that the speaker is currently experiencing stress, describing an ongoing, immediate condition.

How does J'éprouve du stress differ in nuance from saying Je suis stressé(e)?

While both expressions convey that someone is experiencing stress, J'éprouve du stress uses a verb to show the act or process of feeling stress, whereas Je suis stressé(e) uses an adjective to describe a state of being. The choice between them can depend on context and the nuance the speaker wishes to convey.