Ways to say it
| French | Note |
|---|---|
| donne-moi | informal |
| donnez-moi |
These phrases are used to express a preference.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase donne-moi is composed of the imperative verb donne (give) and the indirect object pronoun moi (me).
Which one should you use?
You might use passe-moi or file-moi in casual settings to mean "give me". For very formal requests, the expression accordez-moi is used.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Donne-moi is an informal form, whereas donnez-moi is the formal version used with strangers, superiors or groups of people. For even more formal requests, use accordez-moi. In casual settings, passe-moi and file-moi are common informal alternatives.
How does it change in a sentence?
The informal imperative form donne-moi is used when addressing one person whom you know well or who is younger than you. The formal imperative form donnez-moi is used when addressing a stranger, a superior or a group of people.
Did you know?
- The casual alternative file-moi comes from the verb filer, which literally means 'to spin' or 'to slide' but in slang means 'to hand over' quickly.
- French uses the pronoun moi after the verb in donne-moi, but if you add ne… pas to make it negative, the pronoun jumps to the front: ne me donne pas.
- The verb donner is a cognate of the English word 'donate', both stemming from the Latin 'donare'.
Examples in context
- Donne-moi ton arme !Give me your gun.This sentence demonstrates how to use donne-moi in a command.Tatoeba #1845933 by sacredceltic, translation #1841173 by CK
- Donne-moi la balle !Give me the ball.This sentence shows an example of requesting an object with donne-moi.Tatoeba #1845935 by sacredceltic, translation #1841172 by CK
- Donne-moi un bisou !Give me a kiss.This sentence shows a way to ask for affection using donne-moi.Tatoeba #1846381 by sacredceltic, translation #1844204 by CK
- Donnez-moi votre adresse, s'il vous plaîtGive me your address, please
- Accordez-moi quelques minutes de votre tempsGive me a few minutes of your time
- Donnez-moi un café, s'il vous plaîtGive me a coffee, please
- Accordez-moi cette opportunitéGive me this opportunity
- Passe-moi le sel, s'il te plaîtPass me the salt, please
- Passe-moi le livre, s'il te plaîtPass me the book, please
- File-moi ton styloGive me your pen
- File-moi un morceau de chocolatGive me a piece of chocolate
- 453 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Chloé are deciding which snack to eat.
- NathanDonne-moi le gâteau au chocolat, s'il te plaît.Give me the chocolate cake, please.
- ChloéPourquoi veux-tu celui-là ?Why do you want that one?
- NathanParce que c'est mon préféré !Because it's my favorite!
- ChloéD'accord, tiens, voilà le gâteau.Okay, here, here is the cake.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “give me” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
