French Phrase
J'habite à Rome.
Meaning
The sentence means “I live in Rome.” It expresses a permanent or long‑term place of residence, not a temporary stay.
When to use
Use this phrase when introducing yourself, answering the question “Where do you live?” or talking about your hometown in a conversation or travel context.
✦Grammar Breakdown
J'habiteàRome
J' (je) contraction
The subject pronoun "je" contracts to "j'" before a vowel or mute h, as in "J'habite".
habiter (present 1st sg)
"habiter" means "to live"; in the present tense, the 1st person singular form is "habite".
à (preposition of location)
"à" is used with cities and towns to indicate where someone lives or is located.
Rome (proper noun)
Names of cities stay the same in French; the article is omitted, and the city name is capitalized.
🗨In Conversation
Où habites‑tu ?
Where do you live?
J'habite à Rome.
I live in Rome.
✕Common Mistakes
Je habite à Rome.
The subject pronoun "je" must contract to "j'" before a vowel.
J'habite le Rome.
Cities do not take an article in French; omit "le".
J'habite Rome.
The preposition "à" is required before a city name.
↔Alternatives
Je réside à Rome.
I reside in Rome.
Je vis à Rome.
I live in Rome.
Cultural Tip
In French, "habiter" is followed by "à" for cities (e.g., "habiter à Paris") but by "dans" for countries (e.g., "habiter dans le Canada"). Also, the French pronunciation of "Rome" drops the final "e" and uses a guttural "r" – /ʁom/. When speaking, link the words: "J'habite à Rome" sounds like one fluid phrase.