French Phrase
Des fois je vais courir.
Meaning
Literally, 'Sometimes I go running.' It conveys that the speaker runs on an occasional basis, not as a daily habit. The phrase is informal and often used in casual conversation.
When to use
Use this sentence when you want to talk about an activity you do only now and then, especially in a relaxed setting with friends or family.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Desfoisjevaiscourir.
Des fois
Colloquial adverbial phrase meaning 'sometimes'. It is informal; in formal contexts use 'parfois' or 'de temps en temps'.
Aller + infinitif
The construction 'aller' + infinitive expresses a near‑future action (I am going to run). It is similar to English 'going to'.
Courir
Infinitive verb meaning 'to run'. In this sentence it follows the near‑future construction.
🗨In Conversation
Des fois je vais courir.
Sometimes I go running.
Ah, c’est une bonne façon de rester en forme !
Ah, that’s a great way to stay fit!
✕Common Mistakes
Des fois je vais à courir.
The verb 'aller' already indicates movement; adding the preposition 'à' is unnecessary and incorrect.
Des fois je courrai.
Using the future simple 'courrai' changes the meaning to a definite future event, not the occasional habit expressed by 'vais courir'.
Des fois je vais courir souvent.
Combining 'des fois' (sometimes) with 'souvent' (often) creates a contradictory statement.
↔Alternatives
Parfois, je vais courir.
Sometimes, I go running.
Il m'arrive parfois d'aller courir.
It sometimes happens that I go running.
De temps en temps, je cours.
From time to time, I run.
Cultural Tip
In French, 'des fois' is a spoken, informal way to say 'sometimes'. In written or formal speech, native speakers prefer 'parfois' or 'de temps en temps'. Also, jogging became popular in France in the 1970s, and many cities now have dedicated 'parcours de santé' (health trails) that locals use for a quick run.