During self introduction, how do I say "I am an Indian" or "I am from India"?

Question

I am a French language beginner from India. When I introduce myself, how do I say "I am an Indian" or "I am from India"? The books I learn from are giving for other nationalities but not mine. I need some help.

Follow-up question: Je viens d'Inde or Je viens de l'Inde? (Mind that neither is very idiomatic, je suis originaire d'Inde (or de l'Inde?) is better.) — Gilles 'SO nous est hostile', Sep 13 '13 at 18:07

score 13 · Accepted Answer · answered Aug 20 '12 at 13:05

13

You can go with many sentences like:

Je suis indien (indienne for the feminine) [I am an Indian]
Je viens d'Inde [I come from India]
Je suis originaire d'Inde [~= I am from India]
Je suis né(e) en Inde [I was born in India]

And if you are still a citizen of India:

Je suis de nationalité Indienne [I have Indian nationality]
Je suis citoyen(ne) d'Inde [I am a citizen of India]

answered Aug 20 '12 at 13:05

M'vy

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What about «Je vien de l'Inde»? – Abhimanyu Arora Aug 21 '13 at 09:30
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@AbhimanyuArora When I read Je viens de l'Inde, I initially corrected to Je viens d'Inde. Then I thought again and agreed with Je viens de l'Inde. Then I thought some more and became confused. – Gilles 'SO nous est hostile' Sep 13 '13 at 18:06

score 9 · Answer 2 · answered Aug 20 '12 at 07:13

9

You can either use "Je suis indien / indienne", or, if you want to avoid confusion with Native Americans, "Je viens d'Inde".

answered Aug 20 '12 at 07:13

Alexis Pigeon

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score 1 · Answer 3 · answered Apr 22 '15 at 11:10

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Au Québec, on a inventé le terme "Amérindien" (Indien d'Amérique) ce qui, théoriquement, devrait empêcher la confusion entre les deux provenances possibles pour les "Indiens". Mais ce terme n'est pas utilisé par tous. À remarquer, que plusieurs utilisent à mauvais escient "Hindou" alors qu'ils veulent parler des "Indiens de l'Inde".

answered Apr 22 '15 at 11:10

MasB

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+1 for daring to mention the continued misuse of “Hindou” in this context. Even my trusty “Le Robert” (granted, the 1998 edition) makes this over-generalization by blanketly equating India, Indians, and all things indian to the civilization and practitioners of Brahmanism under its entry for “hindou/e.” Although perhaps not as ‘dated’ (read offensive) as the inclusion of “Peaux-Rouges” under its entry for “indien/ne,” I do take it as another sign that it’s obviously time for me to get a new edition, just as it’s obviously long overdue for the Washington Redskins to get a new name. – Papa Poule Apr 22 '15 at 13:34
Why are you even discussing Quebec?? – Lambie Dec 28 '16 at 19:05

score -1 · Answer 4 · answered Sep 13 '13 at 15:46

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"Je viens de l'Inde" is what has been taught to me

answered Sep 13 '13 at 15:46

Abhimanyu Arora

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Sorry but Je viens de l'Inde is incorrect in French. – Zistoloen Sep 19 '13 at 13:49

score -2 · Answer 5 · answered Apr 21 '15 at 14:55

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certainly do NOT say Je suis d'Inde although I fancy je suis de l;Inde is not impossible. There is I think a tendency to say "de l'Inde" rather than "d'Inde" (with venir too) because of what you might call the "turkey" factor.

answered Apr 21 '15 at 14:55

david

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Absolutely not true. "De l'Inde" is not correct, and generaly "de + le" does not exist. "De + le" = "du", and "de + l' " = "d' ". So definitely say "d'Inde". And what are you calling the "turkey" factor ? – Guillaume Fache Apr 23 '15 at 11:41
"d'Inde" sounds like "dinde", which is the word for "turkey". At least, that's what I think he meant to say. – Sake Apr 27 '15 at 11:40

During self introduction, how do I say "I am an Indian" or "I am from India"?

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