décrivez-vous
To say "describe yourself" in French, use décrivez-vous.
The phrase is used to instruct someone to provide a description of themselves. It is the standard choice for professional settings, such as job interviews.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the imperative form of the verb décrire (to describe) and the reflexive pronoun vous (yourself).
Which one should you use?
The use of the vous form implies a level of formality or distance. You would use décris-toi when speaking to a single person in a familiar context, such as a friend or a child.
How does it change in a sentence?
décrivez-vous is used both when addressing one person formally and when addressing a group of people. If you are speaking to a single person in an informal or familiar context, use décris-toi instead.
Did you know?
- While décrivez-vous is the literal translation, a French recruiter is more likely to use the phrase parlez-moi de vous, which means 'tell me about yourself'.
- In French, the verb décrire can be used to describe a physical shape or a movement, such as a planet describing its orbit.
- Using décris-toi instead of décrivez-vous in a formal setting is not just a grammatical error, but can be interpreted as a power move to assert dominance.
Examples in context
- Décrivez-vous.Describe yourself.This sentence is useful for practicing the command décrivez-vous.Tatoeba #9987326 by Micsmithel, translation #9805638 by Igider
- Je suis françaiseI am French
- Je suis une personne sociableI am a sociable person
- Je suis quelqu'un qui aime voyagerI am someone who loves to travel
- Je suis passionnée de musiqueI am passionate about music
- Je suis américain(e)I am American
- Je suis un mec coolI am a cool guy
- Je suis trop curieux pour mon propre bienI am too curious for my own good
- Je bosse comme serveuseI work as a waitress
- Je suis folle de danseI am crazy about dancing
- J'aime chanterI like singing
- Je suis passionné(e) de photographieI am passionate about photography
- Décrivez-vous en trois mots.Describe yourself in three words.
Example conversation
Lucas is interviewing Chloé for a job.
- LucasPour commencer, décrivez-vous.To start, describe yourself.
- ChloéJe suis organisée et dynamique.I am organized and dynamic.
- LucasC'est un bon début, Chloé.That is a good start, Chloé.
- ChloéMerci beaucoup, Lucas.Thank you very much, Lucas.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
