French Phrase
Je dois envoyer de l'argent à l'étranger.
Meaning
I have to send money abroad. The sentence conveys a personal obligation to transfer funds outside of one's own country, using the partitive article because the amount of money is not specified.
When to use
Use this phrase when discussing financial matters such as paying family overseas, making an international purchase, or arranging a bank transfer to another country.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Jedoisenvoyerdel'argentàl'étranger
Pronoun "Je"
Subject pronoun meaning 'I'. In French, subject pronouns are required before the verb.
Modal verb "dois" (devoir)
"Dois" is the first‑person singular present of devoir, expressing obligation or necessity.
Infinitive after modal
When a modal verb (devoir, pouvoir, vouloir, etc.) is used, it is followed by an infinitive verb—in this case, "envoyer".
Partitive article "de l'"
"De l'" is the partitive article used before a non‑countable noun like "argent" (money).
Prepositional phrase "à l'étranger"
"À" introduces the destination, and "l'étranger" means 'abroad' or 'foreign country'.
🗨In Conversation
Je dois envoyer de l'argent à l'étranger pour aider ma sœur.
I have to send money abroad to help my sister.
Tu peux le faire en ligne ou passer à la banque.
You can do it online or go to the bank.
✕Common Mistakes
Je dois envoyer l'argent à l'étranger.
The partitive article "de l'" is required because the amount is unspecified; "l'argent" would imply a specific, known sum.
Je dois envoyer de l'argent aux étrangers.
"Étranger" is singular; the phrase refers to a foreign country, not multiple foreigners.
Je dois envoyé de l'argent à l'étranger.
After the modal "dois", the verb must stay in the infinitive form, not the past participle.
↔Alternatives
Je dois transférer de l'argent à l'étranger.
I have to transfer money abroad.
Il faut que j'envoie de l'argent à l'étranger.
I need to send money abroad.
Je dois faire un virement à l'étranger.
I have to make a wire transfer abroad.
Cultural Tip
In many French‑speaking countries, sending money abroad often requires a bank or a money‑transfer service (Western Union, MoneyGram, etc.) and may be subject to fees and regulatory limits. Using "envoyer" is neutral, but "faire un virement" sounds more formal and is common when speaking with bank staff.