French Phrase
J'habite à Toronto.
Meaning
Literally, 'I live in Toronto.' The verb habiter conveys a permanent or long‑term residence rather than a short visit.
When to use
Use this sentence when introducing yourself, answering the question 'Where do you live?' or describing your home city in a conversation or written profile.
✦Grammar Breakdown
J'habiteàToronto
Je (J')
The subject pronoun 'je' contracts to 'j'' before a vowel or mute h, as in 'j'habite'.
habiter
A regular -er verb meaning 'to live' or 'to reside' at a place; conjugated as 'j'habite' in the present tense.
à
Preposition used to indicate location (city, town, country) after verbs of residence.
Toronto
A proper noun; foreign city names keep their original spelling and are pronounced according to French phonetics.
🗨In Conversation
Où habites‑tu ?
Where do you live?
J'habite à Toronto.
I live in Toronto.
✕Common Mistakes
Je habite à Toronto.
The subject pronoun must contract to 'j'' before a vowel.
J'habite à le Toronto.
The preposition 'à' never takes an article before a city name.
J'habite dans Toronto.
Use 'à' (not 'dans') when naming a city as a location.
↔Alternatives
Je vis à Toronto.
I live in Toronto.
Je réside à Toronto.
I reside in Toronto.
Cultural Tip
In French, 'habiter' is preferred for a stable address, while 'vivre' can also mean 'to experience life' in a place. Toronto is a highly multicultural city, so you may hear both English and French speakers. When speaking French in Canada, especially in Quebec, you might also hear 'J'habite à Toronto' with a slightly different accent.