le voici
The English phrase "here it is" can be translated into French as le voici.
This phrase is used when you are presenting or handing something to someone. While le voici is a standard way to say "here it is", you may also encounter the very common alternative voilà, which can mean both "here it is" and "there it is".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the direct object pronoun le (it/him) and the adverb voici (here is/behold), literally meaning "it here is".
Which one should you use?
Unlike English, the French pronoun must reflect the gender and number of the object being presented. Use le voici for masculine objects and la voici for feminine objects. If the objects being presented are plural, use les voici to mean "here they are".
How does it change in a sentence?
The pronoun in the phrase changes based on the object: if the object is feminine, the pronoun changes from le to la and if the objects are plural, the pronoun changes to les.
Did you know?
- The phrase voici is actually a command to look. It is a contraction of the imperative verb vois, meaning 'see' or 'look', and the adverb ci, meaning 'here'.
- In formal written French, voici is used to introduce something that follows in the text, while voilà introduces something that has already been mentioned.
- In many French-speaking regions, voilà has become so common that it is used as a general exclamation to signal that a task is finished or a point has been made, regardless of whether an object is being shown.
Examples in context
- Le voici.Here it is.This sentence is useful for demonstrating the use of le voici.Tatoeba #1112336 by sacredceltic, translation #35529 by CK
- Vous avez demandé une facture ? Voici votre facture, madame.You asked for an invoice? Here is your invoice, ma'am.
- Le voici, le rapport que vous avez demandé.Here it is, the report you requested.
- Tu cherches tes clés ? Tiens, les voilà !You're looking for your keys? Here they are!
- T'as besoin de ce livre ? Voilà !Do you need this book? Here it is!
- T'as cherché ta montre pendant des heures ? Tiens, voilà donc ce que j'ai trouvé !You searched for your watch for hours? Look, here's what I found!
- Le voici, ton cadeau.Here it is, your gift.
- Tu cherchais ton livre ? Le voici.Were you looking for your book? Here it is.
Example conversation
Hugo is handing Manon a document she needs.
- HugoTu cherches le dossier ?Are you looking for the file?
- ManonOui, je ne le trouve pas.Yes, I can't find it.
- HugoRegarde, le voici.Look, here it is.
- ManonMerci beaucoup, Hugo.Thank you very much, Hugo.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries le, voici, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
