J'ai besoin d'aller faire les courses

DiegoC1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

J'ai besoin d'aller faire les courses

There are a couple of examples where it says "aller faire les ...". Is this really needed, or at least natural in French? Would it make a difference to say "Je dois faire les courses", or "J'ai besoin de faire les courses"?

Asked 4 years ago
CécileKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Hi Diego,

The expression 'aller faire les courses' is widely used in French for, to go shopping / to do your regular shopping-

Je dois/J'ai besoin de faire les/mes courses I must go shopping/ do my shopping 

Chris, I think you are thinking of the expression 'avoir envie de' to express want/wish.

To express something you need to do/have to do you would use 'devoir' or 'avoir besoin de faire', or even 'falloir' -

Il faut que je fasse mes courses ce matinI have to do my shopping this morning

Hope this helps!

 

ChrisC1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

It wouldn't be wrong, really.

J'ai besoin de faire les courses. -- I want to shop.
J'ai besoin d'aller faire les courses. -- I want to go shopping.

J'ai besoin d'aller faire les courses

There are a couple of examples where it says "aller faire les ...". Is this really needed, or at least natural in French? Would it make a difference to say "Je dois faire les courses", or "J'ai besoin de faire les courses"?

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Getting that for you now...