I must say

But I must say I expected it.

Mais je dois dire que je m'y attendais.

— Rome, Open City (1945)

I must say, it's a terrible shame.

Je dois dire que c’est vraiment dommage.

— Ikiru (1952)

First of all, I must say this.

Tout d’abord, je dois dire ceci.

There is something I must say.

Il y a quelque chose que je dois dire.

— "Wuthering Heights" (2026)

I must say I'm a bit disappointed.

Je dois dire que je suis un peu déçu(e).

I must say, you are a good policeman!

Je dois dire que vous êtes un bon policier !

— Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion (1970)

I must say, that was interesting.

Je dois dire que c'était intéressant.

— The Wind Rises (2013)

I must say, it's turned out a lot better than I expected.

Je dois dire que ça s’est avéré bien mieux que je ne le pensais.

— Paddington 2 (2017)

I must say, I nearly fainted when I saw you fly off.

Je dois dire que j’ai failli m’évanouir quand je t’ai vu t’envoler.

— Kiki's Delivery Service (1989)

I must say I'm flattered.

Je dois dire que je suis flatté(e).