Saying “come home” in French is an essential phrase to know, whether you’re traveling to a French-speaking country or simply trying to improve your language skills. In this guide, we’ll cover both formal and informal ways to express this phrase, along with some helpful tips and examples.
Table of Contents
Informal Ways to Say “Come Home”
When speaking to family members, close friends, or children, you can use more casual expressions to say “come home” in French. Here are some options:
- “Rentre à la maison!” – This is a simple and commonly used expression to say “come home” to someone you have a close relationship with. Remember to use tu, the informal form of “you,” with this phrase.
- “Viens à la maison!” – An alternative way to say “come home” informally is by using this expression. It conveys a sense of familiarity and is particularly suitable when speaking casually to someone you know well.
- “Reviens chez toi!” – This phrase can be translated as “come back home” and is an informal way to invite someone to return to their own home. It can be used among friends or family members who have a close bond.
TIP: When using informal expressions like these, keep in mind that regional variations in spoken French may slightly affect certain phrases. However, the options provided should be widely understood across francophone countries.
Formal Ways to Say “Come Home”
When speaking in formal contexts or addressing someone with whom you have a professional relationship, it’s important to use more polite language. Here are some formal alternatives to say “come home” in French:
- “Rentrez à la maison!” – This phrase is the formal version of “come home” and should be used when addressing someone you don’t have a close relationship with. It is essential for maintaining a respectful tone.
- “Venez à la maison!” – When speaking formally, you can use this phrase to invite someone in a polite and respectful manner to come home.
- “Revenez chez vous!” – If you want to express the idea of “come back home” formally, this phrase is a suitable choice. It is commonly used in more formal settings or when addressing someone with respect.
Remember to use the formal form of “you,” which is vous, when using these expressions in order to convey courtesy and respect.
Examples of Usage
To help you understand the usage of these phrases in different contexts, here are some examples:
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Informal:
Tom’s mother calls out to him from the front door: “Rentre à la maison, Tom! Le dîner est prêt.” (Come home, Tom! Dinner is ready.)
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Informal:
Sophie’s friend invites her to come over: “Viens à la maison, on pourra regarder un film ensemble.” (Come to my house, we can watch a movie together.)
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Formal:
During a business meeting, Mr. Dupont politely asks his colleague to return home: “Rentrez à la maison, il est tard.” (Come home, it’s getting late.)
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Formal:
A hostess invites her guests to leave: “Venez à la maison quand vous le souhaitez, l’invitation est toujours ouverte.” (Come home whenever you want, the invitation is always open.)
Overall, using the appropriate level of formality when saying “come home” in French is crucial to ensure effective communication and convey the desired tone.
Conclusion
In French, there are various ways to say “come home” depending on the level of formality and the relationship between the speakers. When speaking informally, phrases like “Rentre à la maison!” and “Viens à la maison!” are commonly used. On the other hand, for more formal situations, phrases like “Rentrez à la maison!” and “Venez à la maison!” should be employed. Remember to adjust your language according to the context and the people you are addressing, and always be mindful of showing respect and courtesy through your choice of words.
