French Phrase
Ouais, j'essaie des techniques françaises.
Meaning
The speaker is confirming, in a relaxed tone, that they are experimenting with methods that originate from France. It can refer to cooking, art, fashion, or any skill where French techniques are renowned.
When to use
Use this sentence in informal conversations when someone asks what you’re doing, especially if you’re trying out a new French‑style approach. It’s perfect among friends, classmates, or colleagues in a casual setting.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Ouaisj'essaiedestechniquesfrançaises
Ouais
Informal way to say “yeah” or “uh‑uh”; used in casual spoken French.
j'
Contraction of the subject pronoun je before a vowel or mute h.
essaie
Present‑tense 1st‑person singular of essayer (to try).
des
Indefinite plural article (some/any) used before a plural noun.
techniques
Plural noun meaning “techniques”; the noun governs the adjective that follows.
françaises
Feminine plural adjective agreeing with techniques; means “French”.
🗨In Conversation
Qu’est‑ce que tu fais dans la cuisine ces jours‑ci ?
What are you doing in the kitchen these days?
Ouais, j'essaie des techniques françaises.
Yeah, I’m trying French techniques.
✕Common Mistakes
Ouais, j'essaye des techniques françaises.
Both “j'essaie” and “j'essaye” are accepted, but “j'essaie” is the more standard form in written French.
Ouais, j'essaie les techniques françaises.
Using the definite article “les” changes the meaning to “the French techniques” (specific ones) rather than “some French techniques”.
Ouais, j'essaie des techniques français.
The adjective must agree with the plural feminine noun “techniques”; “français” (masc. sing.) is incorrect.
↔Alternatives
Oui, j'essaie des méthodes françaises.
Yes, I’m trying French methods.
Ouais, je teste des techniques françaises.
Yeah, I’m testing French techniques.
Ouais, je m’essaye aux techniques françaises.
Yeah, I’m giving French techniques a try.
Cultural Tip
“Ouais” is slang and should be avoided in formal writing or when speaking to authority figures; replace it with “Oui”. The adjective “françaises” must match the gender and number of the noun it modifies, so you would say “des techniques français**e**s” (feminine plural) but “des plats français” (masculine singular).