prendre des nouvelles de quelqu'un
To check up on someone in French is prendre des nouvelles de quelqu'un.
This phrase is used to describe contacting someone to find out how they are doing or to see if they are well.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to to take news of someone.
Which one should you use?
While prendre des nouvelles de quelqu'un is a friendly way to check in on a person, it should not be confused with surveiller, which means to watch or monitor and implies a lack of trust or constant supervision.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using this phrase, you must use the preposition de before the person you are checking up on. If you use a possessive pronoun to refer to the person, des changes to de ses (for example, prendre de ses nouvelles to mean checking up on him, her or them).
Did you know?
- The verb prendre in this phrase shares an ancient root with the English word 'apprehend', which means to seize or arrest.
- While prendre des nouvelles is friendly, using the verb donner instead of prendre shifts the action. To donner des nouvelles is to provide an update about yourself to others.
- While prendre des nouvelles is a gesture of care, the word nouvelles is also used to describe 'the news' in a journalistic sense.
Examples in context
- J'ai pris des nouvelles de Julie, elle se remet doucement de sa maladie.I checked up on Julie, she is slowly recovering from her illness.
- J'ai appelé Lucie pour prendre de ses nouvelles après son opération.I called Lucie to check up on her after her surgery.
- Salut ! Ça fait longtemps, je voulais juste prendre de tes nouvelles.Hey! It's been a while, I just wanted to check up on you.
- Salut Marie, ça va ? Je voulais juste voir comment tu te sens après ta chute.Hey Marie, how are you? Just wanted to see how you're feeling after your fall.
- Je vais prendre des nouvelles de ma grand-mère.I am going to check up on my grandmother.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, des, prendre, quelqu'un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
