Je sais que tu mens
In French, 'I know you're lying' is expressed as Je sais que tu mens.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase Je sais que tu mens is built from Je (I), sais (know), que (that), tu (you) and mens (lie/are lying).
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase changes from tu mens to vous mentez if you are addressing more than one person or using the formal vous.
Did you know?
- In French, you can express the idea of lying by using the phrase raconter des salades, which literally means 'telling salads'.
- The word mens comes from the same root as the English word 'mendacious', a much more formal way to describe a liar in English.
- The pronoun tu used in the phrase is a cognate of the English word 'thee', both descending from the same ancient Proto-Indo-European roots.
Examples in context
- Je sais que tu mens.I know you're lying.This example demonstrates the use of Je sais que tu mens.Tatoeba #6931124 by Adelpa, translation #2376679 by CK
- Je sais que tu mens, je l'ai vu sur la table chez toi.I know you're lying, I saw it on the table at your place.
- Je sais que tu mens sur ton âge.I know you are lying about your age.
- Arrête, je sais que tu mens.Stop, I know you're lying.
Example conversation
Gabriel confronts Chloé about a broken vase in the living room.
- GabrielTu as cassé le vase, n'est-ce pas ?You broke the vase, didn't you?
- ChloéNon, ce n'est pas moi !No, it wasn't me!
- GabrielJe sais que tu mens, Chloé.I know you're lying, Chloé.
- ChloéD'accord, c'était un accident.Okay, it was an accident.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries je, que, tu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
