French Phrase
J'ai besoin d'examiner ta gorge.
Meaning
Literally, “I need to examine your throat.” It is a direct way for a medical professional to state that they must look inside the patient’s throat, usually to check for infection or other issues.
When to use
Use this sentence in a medical setting when a doctor, nurse, or other health professional is speaking informally to a patient (e.g., a teenager or a close family member). In formal contexts you would replace ‘ta’ with ‘votre’ and possibly use a softer construction.
✦Grammar Breakdown
J'aibesoindeexaminertagorge.
Avoir besoin de + infinitif
The construction ‘avoir besoin de’ is followed by an infinitive verb to express a necessity (e.g., J’ai besoin de manger).
Possessive adjective ‘ta’
‘Ta’ is the informal singular feminine possessive adjective, used before a feminine noun that begins with a consonant.
Noun gender – ‘gorge’
‘Gorge’ is a feminine noun, so the article and adjectives must agree in gender (e.g., la gorge).
Elision with ‘J’’
The vowel‑initial verb ‘ai’ elides with the preceding pronoun ‘Je’, forming ‘J’ai’.
🗨In Conversation
J'ai besoin d'examiner ta gorge.
I need to examine your throat.
D'accord, je vous en prie.
Alright, go ahead.
✕Common Mistakes
J'ai besoin à examiner ta gorge.
‘Avoir besoin’ is always followed by ‘de’, not ‘à’.
J'ai besoin d'examiner ta gorge.
Use ‘votre gorge’ in formal or professional contexts.
J'ai besoin d'examenner ta gorge.
Do not confuse with ‘examenner’, which does not exist.
↔Alternatives
Il faut que j'examine ta gorge.
I have to examine your throat.
Je dois examiner ta gorge.
I must examine your throat.
Je vais examiner ta gorge.
I'm going to examine your throat.
J'ai besoin d'examiner votre gorge.
I need to examine your throat. (formal)
Cultural Tip
In French medical practice, doctors usually address adult patients with the formal ‘vous’ and the possessive ‘votre’. Switching to ‘ta’ signals a more informal, friendly relationship (e.g., with a child or a close relative). Also, it’s polite to ask for consent before the examination, such as “Est-ce que je peux examiner votre gorge ?”