French Phrase
Avec toute cette fumée, j'ai du mal à respirer.
Meaning
The speaker is saying that the amount of smoke in the air makes it difficult for them to breathe. It can refer to a literal physical problem or be used figuratively to describe a stifling atmosphere.
When to use
Use this sentence when you are in a smoky environment—like a fire, a crowded bar, or a kitchen with a lot of smoke—and you want to explain why you feel short‑of‑breath. It can also be used metaphorically to describe a situation that feels oppressive or overwhelming.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Avectoutecettefumée,j'aidumalàrespirer.
Avec (preposition)
Introduces the cause or circumstance; here it means “with” or “amid”.
toute cette (demonstrative adjective)
Both words together mean “all this/that”; they agree in gender and number with the noun fumée (feminine singular).
j'ai du mal à + infinitif
A set phrase meaning “I have difficulty / I find it hard to”. The infinitive that follows is introduced by à.
respirer (infinitive)
The verb “to breathe”. After “avoir du mal à” it stays in the infinitive form.
🗨In Conversation
Avec toute cette fumée, j'ai du mal à respirer.
With all this smoke, I'm having trouble breathing.
On devrait ouvrir les fenêtres ou sortir un moment.
We should open the windows or step outside for a bit.
✕Common Mistakes
Je suis du mal à respirer.
The verb should be « avoir », not « être », in this expression.
J'ai du mal respirer.
The preposition « à » is required before the infinitive.
Toute ces fumée.
The demonstrative adjective must agree with the feminine singular noun « fumée ».
↔Alternatives
Je trouve difficile de respirer à cause de toute cette fumée.
I find it hard to breathe because of all this smoke.
Cette fumée me gêne la respiration.
This smoke hinders my breathing.
Il est difficile de respirer avec tant de fumée.
It's hard to breathe with so much smoke.
Cultural Tip
The construction « avoir du mal à » is very common in everyday French and works with any infinitive (e.g., j'ai du mal à comprendre). Remember that the verb after à stays in the infinitive; adding a noun (e.g., *j'ai du mal à la respiration*) would be incorrect. Also, French speakers often pair this phrase with a suggestion or a request for help, so you might hear a follow‑up like « Peux‑tu ouvrir la porte ? ».