French Phrase
J'ai commencé à collectionner quand j'étais gosse.
Meaning
The speaker is saying that they started the hobby of collecting items during their childhood. The phrase combines a completed action (started) with a past background state (being a kid).
When to use
Use this sentence when you want to explain the origin of a hobby, a collection, or any activity you began in your early years, especially in informal conversation.
✦Grammar Breakdown
J'aicommencéàcollectionnerquandj'étaisgosse
Passé composé (auxiliary être vs avoir)
The verb 'commencer' uses 'avoir' as its auxiliary in the passé composé: 'J'ai commencé'.
Infinitive after 'commencer'
When 'commencer' is followed by another verb, use the preposition 'à' + infinitive: 'commencer à collectionner'.
Imparfait for background actions
Use the imparfait to describe a past state or ongoing situation: 'j'étais gosse' (I was a kid).
Colloquial noun 'gosse'
'Gosse' is an informal word for 'child' or 'kid', common in spoken French but avoided in formal writing.
🗨In Conversation
Tu collectionnes quoi exactement ?
What exactly do you collect?
J'ai commencé à collectionner quand j'étais gosse.
I started collecting when I was a kid.
✕Common Mistakes
J'ai commencé de collectionner quand j'étais gosse.
After 'commencer', the correct preposition is 'à' followed by an infinitive, not 'de'.
J'ai commencé à collectionner quand j'étais enfant.
While grammatically correct, using 'enfant' sounds more formal; 'gosse' is the natural colloquial choice here.
Je suis commencé à collectionner quand j'étais gosse.
The auxiliary must agree with the subject; 'J'ai commencé' is correct, not '*Je suis commencé'.
↔Alternatives
J'ai débuté ma collection quand j'étais petit.
I began my collection when I was little.
C'est à l'époque où j'étais gosse que j'ai commencé à collectionner.
It was when I was a kid that I started collecting.
J'ai commencé à collectionner dès mon enfance.
I started collecting from my childhood.
Cultural Tip
The word 'gosse' is very common in everyday French, especially among friends and family. In formal writing or a professional setting, replace it with 'enfant' or 'petit'. Also, note that French speakers often use the passé composé for actions that have a clear beginning, as in this sentence.