se bien conduire
The English verb 'to behave' is translated into French as se bien conduire.
The phrase is used to describe acting in a polite or proper way. In formal settings, you might instead use the expressions avoir un bon comportement to mean 'to have good behavior' or se comporter de manière appropriée to mean 'to behave appropriately'.
Meaning: to act in a polite or proper way (verb)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, Canada, the informal phrase se tenir tranquille is commonly used to mean 'to behave'.
Did you know?
- The verb conduire is used both for behaving oneself and for driving a car. While 'behaving' is a figurative way of 'leading' oneself, the word literally means 'to lead' or 'to conduct'.
- If you tell a child to 'behave' in a French household, you might say sois sage, which literally means 'be wise' rather than 'be good'.
- In a classroom setting, a French teacher might tell a student Tenez-vous bien, which means 'behave'. This literally translates to 'hold yourself well', treating behavior as a matter of physical posture.
Examples in context
- Veuillez avoir un bon comportement pendant la réunion.Please behave well during the meeting.
- Il est important de se comporter de manière appropriée lors d'un entretien d'embauche.It is important to behave appropriately during a job interview.
- Tu dois te tenir bien à la bibliothèque.You need to behave well at the library.
- Tu devrais te tenir tranquille lors du spectacle.You should behave during the show.
- J'espère que tu vas bien te conduire en classe.I hope you will behave well in class.
Example conversation
Gabriel is reminding Léa about their visit to a museum.
- GabrielLéa, promets-moi que tu vas te bien conduire.Léa, promise me that you will behave.
- LéaPourquoi ? Je suis toujours sage !Why? I am always good!
- GabrielC'est un musée, on doit se bien conduire.It is a museum, we have to behave.
- LéaD'accord, je serai très calme.Okay, I will be very quiet.
