distrais-moi
To say "entertain me" in French, you can use the phrase distrais-moi.
This phrase is used as a request for someone to provide amusement or diversion to keep the speaker from being bored.
Which one should you use?
You may also use Amuse-moi to specifically mean "amuse me" or Divertissez-moi for a more formal tone.
How does it change in a sentence?
When addressing more than one person or using the formal vous form, the imperative changes to distrayez-moi. To form the negative imperative, such as "don't entertain/distract me", the pronoun moves before the verb and changes from moi to me, resulting in ne me distrais pas.
Did you know?
- In French, the adjective distrait describes someone who is absent-minded or spacey. If you say je suis distrait, you are admitting you lost your train of thought rather than saying you are entertained.
- While 'entertain me' sounds like a polite request in English, using Amuse-moi can sound quite condescending or even rude in French. It can imply that you are treating the other person like a clown or a performer meant solely for your pleasure.
- The verb distraire comes from the Latin distractus, meaning 'drawn away'. This is why the French word for entertainment is linked to the idea of being pulled away from one's usual concerns.
Examples in context
- Je m'ennuie, amuse-moi, s'il te plaît !I'm bored, amuse me, please!
- Je m'ennuie, distrais-moi !I'm bored, entertain me!
- Je m'ennuie, distrais-moi un peu.I'm bored, entertain me a little.
- Raconte une blague et distrais-moi !Tell a joke and entertain me!
- S'il te plaît, distrais-moi avec ta musique.Please, entertain me with your music.
Example conversation
Nathan and Chloé are waiting in a long queue.
- NathanC'est trop long, distrais-moi !It's too long, entertain me!
- ChloéJe peux te chanter une chanson, Nathan.I can sing you a song, Nathan.
- NathanOui, fais ça pour passer le temps.Yes, do that to pass the time.
- ChloéD'accord, écoute bien ma mélodie.Okay, listen closely to my melody.
