French Phrase
Je dois descendre ici.
Meaning
Literally, “I have to get off here.” It is used when the speaker needs to alight from a bus, tram, train, or even an elevator at the current stop or floor.
When to use
Use this sentence while traveling on public transport, in a taxi, or when you’re in an elevator and need to tell the driver or fellow passengers that the current stop is your destination.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Jedoisdescendreici
Subject pronoun
« Je » is the first‑person singular subject pronoun, used before a verb.
Devoir (present)
« dois » is the present‑tense form of the modal verb devoir, expressing obligation or necessity.
Infinitive after devoir
When devoir is followed by another verb, that verb stays in the infinitive (here, descendre).
Descendre
« descendre » means ‘to go down, to get off (a vehicle)’. In this construction it refers to alighting from a bus, train, etc.
Adverb of place
« ici » means ‘here’ and indicates the exact point where the action takes place.
🗨In Conversation
Quel arrêt est‑ce que vous prenez ?
Which stop are you getting off at?
Je dois descendre ici.
I have to get off here.
✕Common Mistakes
Je suis descendre ici.
Do not conjugate descendre with être here; devoir already carries the conjugation.
Je dois descendre à ici.
The adverb « ici » does not need a preposition.
Je dois descendre moi ici.
Reflexive pronoun is unnecessary; « descendre » is transitive in this construction.
↔Alternatives
Je dois sortir ici.
I have to get out here.
Je descends à cet arrêt.
I’m getting off at this stop.
Je dois me débarquer ici.
I need to alight here.
Cultural Tip
In French, « descendre » is the standard verb for alighting from a vehicle, while « sortir » is more generic and can sound a bit informal in this context. When you’re on a bus or train, it’s common to say « Je descends à l’arrêt X » (I’m getting off at stop X). Remember to use the polite form « Je dois descendre ici, s’il vous plaît » if you’re speaking to a driver or conductor you don’t know well.