conduis prudemment
To say "drive safely" in French, you use conduis prudemment.
This phrase is used to tell someone to be careful while operating a vehicle.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the imperative verb conduis (drive) and the adverb prudemment (prudently/carefully).
Which one should you use?
The form conduis prudemment is used for a single person in an informal context, whereas conduisez prudemment is used when speaking to more than one person or when using the formal vous form.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, Conduis prudemment may be replaced by Conduis avec précaution.
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form conduis prudemment uses the tu form for singular/informal address. Use conduisez prudemment for the formal/plural version.
When do people say it?
When wishing someone a safe trip, you might also say Bonne route, which means "Safe travels."
Did you know?
- The word conduite meaning 'driving' is also used in French to describe a person's general behavior or conduct in life.
- The English word 'prudent' and the French prudemment share the same Latin root, prudentia, which refers to foresight or 'knowing ahead'.
- When warning a driver of a specific hazard, French speakers often use Attention rather than prudemment, even if the English speaker would say 'drive carefully'.
Examples in context
- Conduis prudemment je t'en prie.Please drive safely.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase with a polite addition.Tatoeba #7244837 by Micsmithel, translation #3238930 by CK
- Conduis prudemment !Drive safely.This sentence is a direct way to say "Drive safely."Tatoeba #555415 by sacredceltic, translation #484648 by blay_paul
- D'accord. Conduis prudemment.Okay. Drive safely.This sentence shows how to use the phrase in a brief response.Tatoeba #3220229 by Dreamk33, translation #319998 by Dreamk33
- Vous devriez toujours conduire prudemment, peu importe la distance à parcourir.You should always drive safely, no matter the distance to cover.
- On se revoit ce soir, conduis prudemment!See you tonight, drive safely!
- N'oublie pas de conduire prudemment, surtout la nuit.Don't forget to drive safely, especially at night.
- Bon voyage! Fais attention sur la route et appelle-nous quand tu arrives.Have a good trip! Drive safely and call us when you arrive.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma is leaving the house by car.
- NathanÀ plus tard, Emma.See you later, Emma.
- EmmaÀ tout à l'heure, Nathan.See you in a bit, Nathan.
- NathanConduis prudemment sur l'autoroute.Drive safely on the highway.
- EmmaMerci, je ferai attention.Thanks, I will be careful.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
