French Phrase
Je devrais sourire plus souvent ?
Meaning
Literally, ‘Should I smile more often?’ It is a self‑reflective question that asks for advice or confirmation that the speaker ought to smile more frequently, usually in social or professional situations.
When to use
Use this phrase when you’re wondering whether your demeanor is too serious, when a friend hints that you could be friendlier, or when you’re practicing polite self‑critique in a language‑learning context.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Jedevraissourireplussouvent?
Conditional of devoir
‘devrais’ is the first‑person singular of the present conditional of ‘devoir’, used to express a suggestion, advice, or mild obligation.
Infinitive after devoir
When ‘devoir’ is followed by another verb, that verb stays in the infinitive (here ‘sourire’).
Comparative adverb ‘plus souvent’
‘plus’ + adverb forms a comparative meaning ‘more …’; ‘plus souvent’ = ‘more often’.
Question intonation
The whole sentence is a yes‑no question; in spoken French the intonation rises at the end.
🗨In Conversation
Tu as l’air toujours très sérieux au travail.
You always look very serious at work.
Je devrais sourire plus souvent ?
Should I smile more often?
✕Common Mistakes
Je devrais être sourire plus souvent.
‘Devoir’ is followed directly by an infinitive; you do not insert ‘être’ before another verb.
Je devrais sourire plus souventement.
‘Souvent’ is already an adverb; you never add the suffix ‘‑ement’ after ‘plus’.
Sourire je devrais plus souvent ?
When forming a question with the conditional, keep the verb order ‘devrais sourire’; placing ‘sourire’ before ‘devrais’ is incorrect.
↔Alternatives
Je devrais sourire davantage.
I should smile more.
Il faudrait que je sourie plus souvent.
I ought to smile more often.
Je devrais être plus souriant.
I should be more smiling.
Cultural Tip
In French culture a smile is appreciated, but it is usually restrained in formal or professional settings. Over‑smiling can be seen as insincere. When you ask ‘Je devrais sourire plus souvent ?’, you’re showing self‑awareness and politeness, which are both valued traits in French interpersonal communication.