NeedFrench
  • Home
  • Tips
  • Grammar
  • Vocabulary
  • Reading
  • Quiz
  • Questions
No Result
View All Result
NeedFrench
  • Home
  • Tips
  • Grammar
  • Vocabulary
  • Reading
  • Quiz
  • Questions
No Result
View All Result
NeedFrench
No Result
View All Result

Ways to Say “I’m Scared” in French

in Vocabulary
0
657
SHARES
543
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on PinterestShare on WhatsappShare on TelegramShare on Linkedin

When you want to express feeling fearful or anxious in French, it helps to know some common phrases beyond just “I’m scared.” Here are useful French expressions for conveying fear:

Ways to say “I’m Scared” in French

Table of Contents

Toggle
  • Basic Phrases
  • Idioms and Slang Expressions
  • Exaggerated Exclamations

Basic Phrases

  • J’ai peur – The simplest way to say “I’m scared” in French. This translates literally to “I have fear.”
  • Je suis effrayé(e) – “I’m frightened” is another straightforward way to say you’re scared.
  • Je suis terrifié(e) – An intensified version is “I’m terrified,” implying you’re very or extremely scared.
  • J’ai la chair de poule – Literally meaning “I have goosebumps,” this idiom communicates fear or unease rather than cold.

Idioms and Slang Expressions

  • J’ai la trouille – This informal term means “I’m afraid” or “I’m scared.” It’s often used in slang or casual speech.
  • Je flippe! – The word “flipper” translates to freaking out or panicking, so this phrase conveys “I’m freaking out!”
  • J’ai les chocottes! – “Having the chokey-chokeys” expresses being scared or worried about something.
  • J’ai les jetons! – This slang phrase means “I’ve got the jitters,” implying nervousness or anxiety.
  • Je panique! – Say “I’m panicking!” when feeling sudden fright or anxiety. Often said during a crisis.
  • J’ai la frousse! – “I’ve got the creeps!” expresses feeling chilled or spooked by something.
  • Ça me file la trouille. – “It gives me the chills” implies something is deeply unsettling.
  • J’en ai gros sur la patate. – Literally “I’ve got a big one on the potato.” Means very anxious.
  • J’ai la pétoche. – “I’m freaked out” indicates you’re very unnerved.
  • C’est flippant! – “That’s creepy!” is used to describe something scary or eerie.
See also  11 Ways to say “It's hot” in French

Exaggerated Exclamations

  • J’ai une peur bleue! – Literally “I have blue fear,” this expresses being “scared stiff” or “petrified with fear.”
  • J’ai la trouille de ma vie! – “I’m scared to death!” or “I’m scared out of my mind!” are dramatic ways to emphasize your intense fear.
  • Je tremble de peur! – “I’m trembling with fear!” describes shaking or quivering from being so frightened.
  • Ça me fout les jetons. – “It gives me the jitters” implies something makes you very nervous.
  • Je suis mort(e) de trouille. – “I’m scared to death” exaggerates that you’re terrified.
  • Je suis tétanisé(e) par la peur. – “I’m paralyzed with fear” exaggerates that you cannot move due to fear.
  • Je tremble comme une feuille. – “I’m trembling like a leaf” compares your shaking to a quivering leaf.
  • J’en perds mes moyens. – “It makes me lose my head” conveys you’re so frightened you cannot think straight.
  • C’est à faire dresser les cheveux sur la tête. – “It makes your hair stand on end” implies something is terrifying enough to make your hair stand up.

With this wide vocabulary of expressions, you can express varying intensities of fear and anxiety in vivid, colloquial French. Just take a deep breath and have courage to speak French, even when afraid!

ShareTweetPin657SendShareShare

Related Posts

Other ways to say “Stop being a clown” in French
Vocabulary

11 Ways to say “Stop being a clown” in French

Trouvez les Connexions Cachées !
Quiz

Word Challenge: Find the Hidden Connections!

Other ways to say “I DIDN’T HEAR” in French?
Vocabulary

11 Ways to say “I DIDN’T HEAR” in French

Other ways to say “I DON'T HAVE MONEY” in French
Vocabulary

15 Ways to say “I DON’T HAVE MONEY” in French

8 Other ways to Respond to “Thank you” in French (merci)
Vocabulary

8 Other ways to Respond to “Thank you” in French (merci)

7 Ways to Say “Maybe” in French
Vocabulary

7 Ways to Say “Maybe” in French

Next Post
Weekly Reading Practice 3 - La fête d'Halloween

Weekly Reading Practice Episode 3 - La fête d'Halloween (The Halloween Party)

Weekly Reading Practice 4

Weekly Reading Practice 4 - Une partie de football (A Football Match)

Weekly Reading Practice 5

Weekly Reading Practice 5 - Une Journée à l'École (A Day at School)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


Follow us

Best Sellers

Pimsleur French Level 2, Lessons 6-10: Learn to Speak and Understand French with Pimsleur Language Programs
$17.29 (as of September 4, 2025 00:54 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Learn French with Paul Noble for Beginners – Complete Course: French Made Easy with Your Personal Language Coach
4.5 out of 5 stars(455494)
$21.88 (as of September 4, 2025 00:54 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Popular Posts

Daily use of French Sentences Conversations

100+ Daily use French Sentences Conversations

100 Simple French Sentences for Kids

100 Simple French Sentences for Kids

The Essential French Phrases for Cafés & Bars

French Phrases to Use at a Bar or Café

“Les Étages” in French

Understanding “Les Étages” “The floors” in French

The Difference Between “bientôt” and “bien tôt”

The Difference Between “Bientôt” and “bien tôt” in French

102 Similar words in French and English

102 Similar words in French and English

  • Home
  • About us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy

© 2025 NeedFrench - Learn French online with free resources.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Tips
  • Grammar
  • Vocabulary
  • Reading
  • Quiz
  • Questions

© 2025 NeedFrench - Learn French online with free resources.