Je vais te frapper
The English phrase "i will hit you" is translated into French as Je vais te frapper.
Depending on the context and tone, other variations exist: Je vais te foutre une raclée is an informal way to say "I'm going to beat you up", while Prépare-toi à une dérouillée is an informal way to say "Prepare yourself for a beating". You might also hear T'auras droit à une bonne correction to mean "You will get a good thrashing", or the casual Je vais te taper to mean "I'm going to hit/slap you".
What does it mean word for word?
Je vais te frapper literally translates to "I am going to hit you" because it utilizes the near future construction of the verb aller plus an infinitive.
Which one should you use?
Je vais te frapper uses the near future to imply an immediate intention. In contrast, Je te frapperai uses the simple future, which sounds more formal or implies a distance in time.
How does it change in a sentence?
When addressing someone formally or addressing a group of people, use vous instead of te, as in Je vais vous frapper.
Did you know?
- The word raclée used in the informal phrase Je vais te foutre une raclée originally referred to the act of scraping or scrubbing a surface.
- The verb frapper is an old loanword from the Frankish language, which was spoken by the Germanic tribes that conquered Gaul.
- The word frapper is used for the minting of coins, because the process involves striking metal with a die.
Examples in context
- Je vais te frapper si tu continues.I will hit you if you continue.
- Arrête ça ou je vais te frapper !Stop that or I will hit you!
- Je te préviens, je vais te frapper.I am warning you, I will hit you.
Example conversation
Two siblings are arguing over a toy.
- NathanDonne-moi le jouet, Emma !Give me the toy, Emma!
- EmmaNon, c'est à moi !No, it is mine!
- NathanRends-le moi ou je vais te frapper !Give it back or I will hit you!
- EmmaJe vais le dire à maman !I am going to tell mom!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries frapper, je, te, vais, CC BY-SA 4.0.
