éteindre la lumière
In French, to say 'light off' is to éteindre la lumière.
The phrase is used to describe stopping a lamp or light from shining by turning a switch. The verb éteindre is also used when you want to turn off electronic devices, such as a computer or a television.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb éteindre literally means 'to extinguish' or 'to put out'.
Which one should you use?
The opposite of éteindre la lumière is allumer la lumière, which means 'to turn on the light'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the definite article 'la' because it refers to a specific light or the general concept of light in a room.
Did you know?
- In French, you can use éteindre to describe the act of silencing a phone or a noisy alarm, not just stopping a light.
- The word lumière is also used to describe the 'Enlightenment' period of history, known in French as les Lumières.
- The word lumière shares a root with the English word 'luminary', though they evolved through different paths in French.
Examples in context
- N'oublie pas d'éteindre la lumière.Don't forget to turn the light off.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase éteindre la lumière.Tatoeba #129511 by sacredceltic, translation #279155 by CK
- N'oublie pas d'éteindre la lumière avant d'aller te coucher.Do not forget to turn the light off before you go to bed.Tatoeba #128570 by sacredceltic, translation #268920 by CK
- Éteignez la lumière avant de partir, s'il vous plaît.Turn off the light before leaving, please.
- Veuillez éteindre la lumière lorsque vous quittez la pièce.Please turn off the light when you leave the room.
- Éteins la lumière en sortant, d'accord ?Turn off the light when you leave, okay?
- Tu peux éteindre la lumière maintenant.You can turn off the light now.
- Peux-tu éteindre la lumière en sortant ?Can you turn off the light when you leave?
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Nathan are in the living room before going to bed.
- ManonIl est tard, Nathan.It is late, Nathan.
- NathanD'accord, je vais éteindre la lumière.Okay, I am going to turn off the light.
- ManonMerci, bonne nuit.Thank you, good night.
- NathanBonne nuit, Manon.Good night, Manon.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries la, lumière, éteindre, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
