excusez-moi, s'il vous plaît
In French, "excuse me, please" is excusez-moi, s'il vous plaît.
This phrase is used both to get a stranger's attention and to politely ask someone to move out of your way.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of excusez-moi (excuse me) and s'il vous plaît (if it pleases you).
Which one should you use?
Use Excuse-moi, s'il te plaît instead of the default form when speaking to a child, a friend or someone you know well.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase excusez-moi, the verb excusez is in the imperative form used for the formal vous or plural vous.
Did you know?
- The formal vous used in excusez-moi is a cognate of the Russian word вы (vy) and the Italian voi, as both languages used a plural form of 'you' to show respect.
- While it is usually a polite request, excusez-moi can be used sarcastically to express indignation or disbelief, mirroring the English use of 'Excuse me?' when offended.
- French speakers typically prefer pardon over excusez-moi when they accidentally bump into someone, using it as a more reflexive apology.
Examples in context
- Pardon, s'il vous plaît, pouvez-vous m'indiquer où se trouve la bibliothèque?Excuse me, please, can you tell me where the library is?
- Excuse-moi, s'il te plaît, peux-tu me prêter ton stylo?Excuse me, please, can you lend me your pen?
- Excusez-moi, s'il vous plaît, je voudrais passer.Excuse me, please, I would like to pass.
- Excusez-moi, s'il vous plaît, où est la station ?Excuse me, please, where is the station?
- Excusez-moi, s'il vous plaît, est-ce que ce siège est libre ?Excuse me, please, is this seat free?
Example conversation
Lucas wants to get past Emma in a crowded hallway.
- LucasExcusez-moi, s'il vous plaît.Excuse me, please.
- EmmaOh, pardonnez-moi !Oh, forgive me!
- LucasCe n'est pas grave, merci.It is no problem, thank you.
- EmmaJe vous en prie, passez.Please, go ahead.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries vous, CC BY-SA 4.0.
