derrière toi
The English phrase "behind you" is translated into French as derrière toi.
This phrase is used to indicate that a person or an object is located at the back of the person being addressed.
Which one should you use?
derrière toi is used when speaking to a single person whom you address as 'tu' (friends, family, children). In contrast, derrière vous is the translation used when speaking to more than one person or to one person in a formal context.
How does it change in a sentence?
Use derrière vous instead of derrière toi when speaking to more than one person or to one person in a formal context.
Did you know?
- While derrière toi describes a physical location, using 'derrière' as a noun in French can also colloquially refer to a person's buttocks.
- While derrière toi denotes physical location, the phrase être derrière quelqu'un can also mean to support someone, much like the English 'I've got your back'.
- When giving a warning that someone is physically behind another person, French speakers often omit the subject and simply exclaim Derrière !
Examples in context
- Regarde derrière toi !Look behind you!This sentence is useful for giving a command to look behind someone.Tatoeba #473057 by sacredceltic, translation #473820 by FeuDRenais
- Le pire est derrière toi.The worst is behind you.This sentence is useful for expressing that a difficult period has passed.Tatoeba #11582460 by Aiji, translation #3001287 by CK
- Il est juste derrière toi.He's right behind you.This sentence is useful for specifying someone's exact position.Tatoeba #1670250 by sacredceltic, translation #1664584 by Spamster
- Il y a un objet derrière vous.There is an object behind you.
- Attention, il y a quelqu'un derrière toi.Be careful, there is someone behind you.
- Attention, le livre est derrière vous.Watch out, the book is behind you.
- Thomas, regarde derrière toi. Il y a un chien.Thomas, look behind you. There is a dog.
- Sophie, fais attention, il y a quelqu'un derrière toi.Sophie, be careful, there is someone behind you.
- 34 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Emma are walking in a park.
- NathanFais attention, il y a un vélo derrière toi.Watch out, there is a bike behind you.
- EmmaOh, merci Nathan !Oh, thanks Nathan!
- NathanTu l'as vu ?Did you see it?
- EmmaNon, il était juste derrière moi.No, it was just behind me.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
