🌱 Introduction
If you still translate everything in your head before speaking French, you are not alone.
It happens to every English speaker — even advanced ones.
The problem?
Translation slows you down, freezes your brain, and makes you doubt simple sentences.
The solution is not to speak faster.
The solution is to think differently.
In this Frenchies #78, I’ll show you 3 proven techniques used by polyglots to think in French faster, more naturally, and without anxiety.
1️⃣ Why English speakers translate in their head
Your brain loves shortcuts.
And because English is your dominant language, your brain wants to:
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create a sentence in English
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translate the words
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apply French grammar
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speak
This 4-step chain is the reason you feel stuck.
Thinking in French means breaking this chain.
You won’t remove English from your mind — but you can replace the default path with French patterns.
2️⃣ Technique #1 — CHUNKING
Learn full phrases, not individual words
Polyglots don’t memorise “words”.
They memorise chunks = ready-made groups of words used together in real life.
Examples of chunks:
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Est-ce que je peux… ?
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Je voudrais…
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J’ai besoin de…
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Ce que j’aime, c’est…
When you use chunks:
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You don’t translate
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You speak faster
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You sound more natural
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You reduce grammar mistakes
👉 Mini-exercise
Turn these English thoughts into ready-made French chunks:
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I need to…
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I would like to…
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I don’t know if…
3️⃣ Technique #2 — MICRO-IMMERSION
5 minutes a day can rewire your brain
You don’t need to live in France — you only need short, repeated exposure.
Do this every day:
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Change your phone language to French
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Watch a 30-second French Reel
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Listen to 1 French song
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Read 2 comments in French
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Ask ChatGPT a question in French
Micro-immersion trains your brain to decode French instantly without switching to English.
👉 Tip:
Never pause a video when you don’t understand — let your ear learn passively first.
4️⃣ Technique #3 — CONCEPT SWITCHING
Think in ideas, not words
Instead of translating from English → French, think:
What is the idea I want to express?
Then choose the simplest French structure.
Example:
“I’m looking forward to meeting you.”
→ J’ai hâte de te rencontrer.
(Nothing is translated word-for-word.)
Example:
“It makes sense.”
→ C’est logique.
→ C’est normal.
→ Je comprends.
Different words — same idea ✔️
👉 Mini-exercise:
Translate the idea, not the sentence:
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“I’m scared of failing.” → ?
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“I don’t feel like going.” → ?
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“Let’s keep in touch.” → ?
💬 Final Thought
Thinking in French is not a talent.
It’s a habit, built day after day.
With these 3 techniques — chunking, micro-immersion, concept switching — you’ll reduce translation dramatically and speak with more flow and confidence.
🔗
👉 Ready to practice thinking in French with real conversation?
Book your discovery class here.
