French Phrase
Moi, c'est John, j'ai 35 ans.
Meaning
This phrase is a common, slightly informal way to introduce yourself. It uses the disjunctive pronoun 'Moi' for emphasis and the verb 'avoir' (to have) to express age, which is a fundamental difference from English.
When to use
Use this when meeting someone for the first time in a social or casual setting. It is perfect for ice-breaking situations where you want to sound natural and confident.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Moi,c'estJohn,j'ai35 ans
Moi (Disjunctive Pronoun)
Used here to emphasize the subject before starting the sentence, typical in spoken French.
C'est
A contraction of 'ce' and 'est', meaning 'it is'. It is used here to present oneself.
J'ai (Avoir)
The first person singular of 'avoir'. Always use 'avoir' for age, never 'être'.
🗨In Conversation
Salut ! Enchanté, comment tu t'appelles ?
Hi! Nice to meet you, what is your name?
Moi, c'est John, j'ai 35 ans.
Me, I'm John, I'm 35 years old.
✕Common Mistakes
Je suis 35 ans.
In French, you 'have' years, so use the verb 'avoir' (ai) instead of 'être' (suis).
Moi est John.
Use 'c'est' (it is) after 'moi' to identify yourself in this specific introductory structure.
↔Alternatives
Je m'appelle John et j'ai 35 ans.
My name is John and I am 35 years old.
Je suis John, j'ai 35 ans.
I am John, I'm 35.
Cultural Tip
French speakers often use 'Moi, c'est...' to sound more approachable than the more formal 'Je m'appelle'. Note that in France, it is quite common to share your age early in an introduction in social clubs or hobby groups.