va dormir
To say "go and sleep" in French, you use va dormir.
What does it mean word for word?
va dormir is composed of the verb aller (to go) in the imperative and the infinitive dormir (to sleep).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
va dormir is used in informal settings, such as with friends, family or children. For a polite or formal version, you would use allez dormir when addressing someone with vous. Additionally, Veuillez aller vous coucher is a formal and polite phrase used to say "go and sleep".
How does it change in a sentence?
va dormir is the imperative singular form of the verb, used when speaking to one person informally. The phrase allez dormir is the imperative plural or formal form used when speaking to multiple people or one person formally.
Did you know?
- While va dormir means 'go and sleep', French speakers often use the phrase faire dodo when speaking to babies or toddlers to mean 'go night-night'.
- In some French regions, telling someone va dormir in a sarcastic tone can be used to tell them they are talking nonsense or are delusional.
- The English word 'dormitory' shares the same ancient roots as the French dormir, both tracing back to a Proto-Indo-European word for sleep.
Examples in context
- Allez-vous coucher, Monsieur?Are you going to sleep, Sir?
- Veuillez aller vous coucher, Madame.Please go and sleep, Madam.
- Va te coucher, mon ami.Go and sleep, my friend.
- Allez dormir maintenant, les enfants.Go and sleep now, children.
- Il est tard, va dormir.It is late, go to sleep.
- Tu es fatigué, alors va dormir.You are tired, so go and sleep.
- Va dormir maintenant, s'il te plaît.Go and sleep now, please.
Example conversation
A mother telling her son it is time for bed.
- ManonNathan, il est l'heure de se coucher.Nathan, it is time to go to bed.
- NathanMais je veux encore jouer !But I want to play more!
- ManonNon, va dormir tout de suite.No, go and sleep right now.
- NathanD'accord, maman.Okay, mom.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dormir, va, CC BY-SA 4.0.
