prends soin de toi
In French, the phrase 'be safe' is expressed as prends soin de toi.
The phrase is used as a friendly way to say goodbye and tell someone to take care of themselves. Note that if you want to warn someone to be careful in a specific moment or situation, you should use fais attention instead.
Which one should you use?
While prends soin de toi is a warm parting wish, fais attention is more often used as a warning to be careful in a specific moment or situation.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form prends soin de toi is informal and should be used with friends, family or peers. For formal situations, you can use Soyez prudent(e)! to say 'be safe' or Prenez soin de vous! to say 'take care of yourself' or wish someone to be safe.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, the informal expression Porte-toi bien! is more common and means 'take care' or 'take good care of yourself'.
How does it change in a sentence?
Use prenez soin de vous instead of prends soin de toi when speaking to someone you do not know well or to a group of people.
Did you know?
- The word soin shares a common ancestor with the English word 'sooth', as found in the word 'soothsayer'.
Examples in context
- Soyez prudent sur la route.Be careful on the road.
- Prenez soin de vous pendant votre voyage.Take care of yourself during your trip.
- Fais attention en traversant la rue.Be careful when crossing the street.
- Porte-toi bien pendant ton voyage au Québec.Take care during your trip to Quebec.
- Prends garde aux pickpockets.Be cautious of pickpockets.
- Allez, rentre bien et prends soin de toi.Go on, get home safe and take care of yourself.
- À bientôt, prends soin de toi !See you soon, take care of yourself!
Example conversation
Emma and Lucas are saying goodbye at a train station.
- EmmaBon voyage, Lucas !Have a good trip, Lucas!
- LucasMerci Emma, je t'appellerai bientôt.Thanks Emma, I will call you soon.
- EmmaD'accord, et prends soin de toi.Okay, and take care of yourself.
- LucasToi aussi, salut !You too, bye!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, soin, toi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
