French Phrase
J'essaie de rester positif.
Meaning
This phrase expresses a conscious effort to maintain an optimistic mindset despite facing challenges or stress. It combines the verb 'essayer' (to try) with 'rester' (to stay) to show ongoing intent rather than a finished state. It is a common way to acknowledge difficulty while asserting resilience.
When to use
Use this phrase when someone asks how you are doing during a tough time or when discussing your current mindset. It is suitable for both personal conversations with friends and professional contexts when discussing project hurdles.
✦Grammar Breakdown
J'essaiederesterpositif
J'essaie
This is the first-person singular present tense of 'essayer'. The 'e' in 'Je' drops (elision) because the next word starts with a vowel.
de rester
In French, certain verbs like 'essayer' require the preposition 'de' to link to a following infinitive verb.
positif
This adjective must agree with the subject. If you identify as female, you should say 'positive' instead of 'positif'.
🗨In Conversation
Comment ça va avec tout ce travail ?
How is it going with all this work?
C'est dur, mais j'essaie de rester positif.
It's hard, but I'm trying to stay positive.
✕Common Mistakes
J'essaie rester positif.
The verb 'essayer' always requires the preposition 'de' before an infinitive verb.
J'essaie à rester positif.
Learners often confuse 'de' and 'à'; 'essayer' specifically takes 'de' in this construction.
↔Alternatives
Je garde le moral.
I'm keeping my spirits up.
Je reste optimiste.
I stay optimistic.
Cultural Tip
In France, while people value realism and may openly discuss problems, maintaining 'le moral' is highly respected. The phrase reflects a balanced approach to life's ups and downs without appearing overly naive. Note that the adjective 'positif' changes to 'positive' if the speaker is female.