What does it mean word for word?
The phrase présente-moi is composed of the imperative form of présenter (to present/introduce) and the object pronoun moi (me).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form présente-moi uses the "tu" (informal) imperative and should only be used with friends, family or peers. For professional settings or people you do not know well, you should use the formal version présentez-moi. Formal variations include Pourriez-vous me présenter, s'il vous plaît?, Excusez-moi, pourriez-vous me présenter à cette personne ? or Auriez-vous l'amabilité de me présenter à votre collègue ? An informal way to ask is Tu peux me présenter à tes amis ?
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb présenter requires the preposition à when introducing someone to another person. Additionally, if you are speaking to someone formally or to a group of people, you must use the form présentez-moi instead of présente-moi.
When do people say it?
The phrase enchanté(e) means "nice to meet you".
Did you know?
- In very formal French etiquette, it is traditionally the role of the person with the lower social or professional rank to be introduced to the person of higher rank.
- In a professional context, if you are asking for an introduction, you might hear the term mise en relation, which literally means 'putting into relation'.
- While English uses 'introduce' to mean making people known to one another, the French verb présenter literally means 'to present' or 'to exhibit' something, like a gift or an object.
Examples in context
- Présente-moi à ta petite amie.Introduce me to your girlfriend.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase présente-moi when introducing someone to a girlfriend.Tatoeba #11223796 by lbdx, translation #7126952 by CM
- S'il te plait, présente-moi à ton ami.Please introduce me to your friend.This sentence shows how to use présente-moi with a polite request.Tatoeba #7497841 by tras, translation #7496995 by CK
- Présente-moi à ton ami qui est là-bas.Introduce me to your friend over there.This sentence uses présente-moi to introduce someone to a friend in a specific location.Tatoeba #1194763 by rene1596, translation #679877 by ulyssemc1
- Enchantée, Paul. Moi, c'est Sarah.Nice to meet you, Paul. I'm Sarah.
- Excuse-moi, pourrais-tu me présenter à ton ami ?Excuse me, could you introduce me to your friend?
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Manon are at a party with many people.
- GabrielJe ne connais personne ici.I don't know anyone here.
- ManonNe t'inquiète pas, Gabriel.Don't worry, Gabriel.
- GabrielS'il te plaît, présente-moi à tes collègues.Please, introduce me to your colleagues.
- ManonD'accord, viens avec moi.Okay, come with me.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
