What does it mean word for word?
The phrase viens me voir literally translates to "come see me".
Which one should you use?
If you want to say "come visit us", you would use Viens nous voir! informally or Venez nous rendre visite! formally. To say "come by and see us" informally, you can use Passe nous voir!
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Viens me voir is an informal expression using the 'tu' form, making it appropriate for friends and family. For more formal situations, you can use Venez nous rendre visite! to say "come visit us" or Nous serions ravis de vous accueillir! which means "We would be delighted to welcome you".
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are inviting more than one person or are using the formal 'vous', you must change the verb to venez me voir. While viens me voir is common, viens me rendre visite is a more grammatically precise way to express "come visit me" when referring to visiting a person.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the verb visiter for people. However, in French, visiter is used for places (like a museum), whereas rendre visite à or voir is used for people.
Did you know?
- The verb voir in viens me voir shares the same ancient root as the English word 'witness' and the Latin 'videre'. They both stem from the Proto-Indo-European root *weyd-, which relates to the concept of seeing or knowing.
Examples in context
- Venez nous rendre visite le mois prochain. Nous serions ravis de vous accueillir chez nous!Come visit us next month. We would be delighted to welcome you at our place!
- Tu habites à Paris ? Viens me voir bientôt !You live in Paris? Come visit me soon!
- Viens me voir ce week-end.Come visit me this weekend.
- Si tu es en ville, viens me voir.If you are in town, come visit me.
Example conversation
Nathan and Emma are talking on the phone about their plans.
- NathanJe m'ennuie un peu ici.I'm a bit bored here.
- EmmaAlors, viens me voir à Paris !Then, come visit me in Paris!
- NathanC'est une super idée, Emma.That is a great idea, Emma.
- EmmaJe t'attends avec plaisir.I look forward to seeing you.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries me, voir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
