m'as-tu-vu
The English phrase "attention seeker" can be translated into French as m'as-tu-vu.
An attention seeker is a person who behaves in a flashy or ostentatious way to be noticed and admired by others. In French, the term m'as-tu-vu is used to describe such a person with a mocking and pejorative tone.
What does it mean word for word?
The term m'as-tu-vu is a contraction of the phrase me as-tu vu, which literally translates to "have you seen me?"
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
m'as-tu-vu is a colloquial and informal term used to mock someone. For more formal situations, you can use Personne en quête d'attention, Personne cherchant à attirer l'attention or Personne qui recherche l'attention des autres. If you want to express the idea of someone being "thirsty for attention" in an informal way, you can use Assoiffé(e) d'attention.
Did you know?
- The word m'as-tu-vu is a 'frozen' expression, meaning the original question 'have you seen me?' no longer functions as a query.
- The expression m'as-tu-vu uses verb-subject inversion, a grammatical structure usually reserved for formal questions, to create a mocking effect.
- The term is so versatile that it can be used to describe inanimate objects, such as a style m'as-tu-vu, to mean that an object's design is unnecessarily flashy or ostentatious.
Examples in context
- Arrête de faire le m'as-tu-vu !Stop acting like an attention seeker!
Example conversation
Gabriel and Emma are discussing a flashy colleague at work.
- GabrielRegarde comment il s'habille aujourd'hui.Look at how he is dressed today.
- EmmaC'est typique, c'est un vrai m'as-tu-vu.It's typical, he's a real attention seeker.
- GabrielIl veut que tout le monde le regarde.He wants everyone to look at him.
- EmmaC'est fatigant à la longue.It gets tiring after a while.
