par moi
The English phrase "by me" is translated into French as par moi.
par moi is primarily used in passive voice constructions to identify the person who performed a specific action.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the preposition par (by) and the stressed pronoun moi (me).
How does it change in a sentence?
To change the agent from "me" to "you" (singular/informal), replace moi with toi, resulting in par toi.
Did you know?
- While par moi translates to 'by me', French often avoids this passive structure entirely by using the pronoun on or a reflexive verb to describe an action performed by the speaker.
- The Latin root per from which par descends is still visible in English words like 'percolate' and 'perpendicular', both of which relate to movement through or across a point.
- The preposition par is also used to describe movement through a place, such as passer par Paris meaning 'to go through Paris'.
Examples in context
- Sois vu par moi !Be seen by me!Tatoeba #1123071 by sacredceltic, translation #1121843 by cntrational
- Toutes les chansons que je vous ai chantées aujourd'hui ont été écrites par moi.All the songs I sang for you today were written by me.Tatoeba #4218149 by sacredceltic, translation #4198285 by CK
- Cette traduction a été réalisée par mes soins.This translation was done by me.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Léa are looking at a painting in a gallery.
- HugoRegarde ce tableau, Léa.Look at this painting, Léa.
- LéaC'est magnifique ! Qui l'a peint ?It's magnificent! Who painted it?
- HugoIl a été peint par moi.It was painted by me.
- LéaJe ne savais pas que tu étais artiste !I didn't know you were an artist!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries moi, par, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
