appelle-moi maintenant
The English phrase "call me now" is translated into French as appelle-moi maintenant.
This phrase is used as a request or a command for someone to telephone the speaker immediately.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the imperative verb appelle (call), the object pronoun moi (me) and the adverb maintenant (now).
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form appelle-moi maintenant uses the tu-form of the imperative and is appropriate for friends, family or people you know well. If you are speaking to a stranger, a superior or a group of people, you should use the formal or plural form appelez-moi maintenant.
What mistakes should you avoid?
When writing the imperative command, do not write appelle moi without a hyphen. In French imperative commands, a hyphen must be placed between the verb and the pronoun, resulting in appelle-moi.
Did you know?
- The verb appeler shares a root with the English word 'appeal'. Both stem from the Latin 'appellare', which meant to address someone or call upon a higher authority.
- In French, the verb appeler is used for both phoning someone and calling their name aloud. If you say appelle-moi to someone standing across the street, you are asking them to shout your name to get your attention.
- Because maintenant is derived from the Old French 'main tenir', it is etymologically rooted in the idea of 'holding in hand'.
Examples in context
- Bonjour Monsieur Dupont, veuillez me rappeler immédiatement, s'il vous plaît. J'ai une question urgente à vous poser.Hello Mr. Dupont, please call me immediately, please. I have an urgent question to ask you.
- Salut Marie, appelle-moi tout de suite ! J'ai besoin de ton aide tout de suite.Hi Marie, call me right away! I need your help right away.
- C'est urgent, appelle-moi maintenant !It's urgent, call me now!
- Appelle-moi maintenant, s'il te plaît.Call me now, please.
- C'est urgent, appelle-moi maintenant.It is urgent, call me now.
Example conversation
Hugo sends a quick text to Emma about a problem.
- HugoJ'ai un gros problème, appelle-moi maintenant.I have a big problem, call me now.
- EmmaJe suis en cours, je ne peux pas.I am in class, I cannot.
- HugoC'est très important, Emma !It's very important, Emma!
- EmmaD'accord, je t'appelle dans cinq minutes.Okay, I will call you in five minutes.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries maintenant, CC BY-SA 4.0.
