faites-moi plaisir
To say "indulge me" in French, you say faites-moi plaisir.
This phrase is often used when asking someone to go along with a whim, a curiosity or a small request that might seem trivial.
How does it change in a sentence?
The informal version fais-moi plaisir uses the tu form of the verb. The default form faites-moi plaisir uses the vous form. Additionally, in very formal contexts, one might say Je vous en prie, accordez-moi cette indulgence to translate "I beg you, grant me this indulgence".
Did you know?
- While 'indulge me' in English can feel quite soft, the literal French translation faites-moi plaisir can sometimes sound surprisingly blunt or demanding, as if you are ordering someone to produce a feeling of joy for you.
- If you want to sound much more sophisticated and less common than using plaisir, you can use the verb combler, as in comblez ma curiosité to mean 'satisfy my curiosity' or 'indulge my whim'.
- The word plaisir shares a common ancestor with the English word 'please', as both stem from the Latin 'placēre' meaning 'to please'.
Examples in context
- Faites-moi plaisir, écoutez cette chanson une dernière fois.Indulge me, listen to this song one last time.
- Faites-moi plaisir et chantez cette chanson.Indulge me and sing this song.
Example conversation
Gabriel wants Léa to listen to a long explanation about his hobby.
- GabrielLéa, faites-moi plaisir et écoutez mon explication.Léa, indulge me and listen to my explanation.
- LéaC'est vraiment nécessaire, Gabriel ?Is it really necessary, Gabriel?
- GabrielNon, mais j'ai envie de partager cela.No, but I want to share this.
- LéaD'accord, je t'écoute.Alright, I'm listening.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries plaisir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
