Intermediate

Have you spent years at trying to learn French, but still can’t express yourself properly? Perhaps you still find it difficult or impossible to understand French movies or the French TV news, despite having completed several private French courses. Many people find themselves in such situations, despite having invested years of effort and lots of money. Don’t you think learning French should be easier?

Fast French will enable you to take your French to the next level so that you can speak fluently and confidently. And if you are occasionally stuck for a word, you will know how to ask for help (in French) and what appropriate sounds to make if you’re completely at a loss for words. You will sound like a French speaker who just needs a moment or two to think, instead of an English speaker who is totally clueless.

Could you translate a simple phrase like “I’m supposed to fix the problem” into French?

Hint: The verbs “supposer” or “fixer” would be the wrong choices, although they might seem logical. “Supposer” means to imagine. It doesn’t relate to the senses of “meant to,” “ought to” or “have to” at all.  And “fixer” means to attach, like fixing a picture to the wall. It has nothing to do with repairing or solving.

Have a think, then scroll down below to see the answer.

Answer

The answer to the question of how you would translate “I’m supposed to fix the problem” into French is:

Je suis censé régler le problème.