sers-toi
In French, the phrase "help yourself" is expressed as sers-toi.
This phrase is used as an invitation to take as much of something as one wants, such as food or drink.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase sers-toi is a command that literally means "serve yourself".
Which one should you use?
sers-toi is the informal version used when talking to a friend or family member. In contrast, servez-vous is used when addressing a group of people or when using a formal tone with a stranger.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase changes from sers-toi to servez-vous when you are addressing more than one person or when you are using the formal vous form.
Did you know?
- Depending on the region, some French speakers might use the phrase fais-toi plaisir, which literally means 'give yourself pleasure', as a warmer alternative to sers-toi.
- In France, the act of helping yourself to food is often contrasted with le service à la française, a historic style where all dishes were placed on the table at once for guests to serve themselves.
- If you are in a very formal setting, you might avoid the command form entirely and instead use the phrase Je vous en prie, which means 'I beg of you' but acts as a polite way to say 'please, go ahead'.
Examples in context
- Sers-toi de café !Help yourself with coffee.This sentence is useful for telling someone to help themselves with coffee using sers-toi.Tatoeba #2381879 by sacredceltic, translation #14010426 by zogwarg
- Sers-toi à boire !Help yourself to a drink.This sentence is useful for telling someone to help themselves to a drink using sers-toi.Tatoeba #3645759 by sacredceltic, translation #27107 by CK
- Sers-toi du gâteau !Help yourself to the cake.This sentence is useful for telling someone to help themselves to the cake using sers-toi.Tatoeba #1833636 by sacredceltic, translation #62648 by CK
- Servez-vous, les plats sont prêts!Help yourself, the dishes are ready!
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo is a guest at Manon's house and is looking at the snacks on the table.
- ManonIl y a des biscuits sur la table.There are some biscuits on the table.
- HugoMerci, je peux en prendre un ?Thanks, can I have one?
- ManonBien sûr, sers-toi !Of course, help yourself!
- HugoC'est très gentil, Manon.That is very kind, Manon.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
