What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is literally composed of laisse (leave/let), moi (me) and tranquille (quiet/calm/peaceful).
Which one should you use?
While laisse-moi tranquille uses the tu form for individuals you know well, you can use laissez-moi tranquille to address a group of people or to use the formal vous form.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
laisse-moi tranquille is an informal expression used with friends, family or people you know well. For more formal situations, such as when speaking to strangers or superiors, you can use Laissez-moi tranquille, s'il vous plaît, Veuillez me laisser tranquille, Je vous prie de me laisser tranquille, or Pourriez-vous me laisser seul(e) ? There are also various informal ways to express this, such as Fiche-moi la paix !, Fous-moi la paix ! or the idiomatic Lâche-moi les baskets !
How does it change in a sentence?
To switch from the informal/singular version to the formal or plural version, change laisse to laissez to form laissez-moi tranquille.
Did you know?
- Using Lâche-moi la grappe ! is another slang way to say 'Leave me alone', but it literally means 'Release my bunch of grapes!'
- Using the formal Laissez-moi tranquille with a stranger can actually sound more threatening or colder than using the informal tu version, as it creates a sharp emotional distance.
- While tranquille means 'quiet' in this phrase, French speakers also use it as slang to describe something 'chill' or 'easy', such as saying a task is tranquille.
Examples in context
- Laisse-moi tranquille ! Je te déteste !Leave me alone! I hate you!This example shows how to express intense dislike while asking to be left alone using laisse-moi tranquille.Tatoeba #2217261 by sacredceltic, translation #2216818 by Hybrid
- J'ai du travail à faire, alors va-t'en et laisse-moi tranquille.I have work to do, so go away and leave me alone.This example demonstrates how to ask to be left alone because you are busy using laisse-moi tranquille.Tatoeba #1104612 by sacredceltic, translation #1104609 by CK
- Laisse-moi tranquille.Leave me alone.This example shows a simple, direct way to use laisse-moi tranquille.Tatoeba #7960 by felix63, translation #27641 by CK
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan is teasing Emma about her new haircut.
- EmmaArrête de te moquer de moi, Nathan.Stop making fun of me, Nathan.
- NathanJe plaisante juste, ne sois pas fâchée !I'm just joking, don't be mad!
- EmmaLaisse-moi tranquille, je n'ai pas envie de parler.Leave me alone, I don't want to talk.
- NathanD'accord, je te laisse seule alors.Okay, I'll leave you alone then.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “leave me alone” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
