écoutez et répétez
The English phrase "listen and repeat" is translated into French as écoutez et répétez.
This phrase is an instruction used by teachers to ask students to hear a word and say it back. To make the request more polite, you can use the expression S'il vous plaît, écoutez et répétez, which means "please, listen and repeat".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the imperative forms of the verbs écouter (to listen) and répéter (to repeat), joined by the conjunction et (and).
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form écoutez et répétez uses the second-person plural imperative, which is the standard way to address a group of students or to show politeness. However, if a teacher is addressing a single student in a very casual setting, they might use the singular imperative écoute et répète instead.
Did you know?
- The word répéter is a 'paronym' of the English 'repeat', meaning they sound similar and share a root. However, in French, répéter can also specifically mean 'to rehearse' a play or a musical piece.
- While écouter means 'to listen', the French also use entendre for 'to hear'. The difference is that écouter is an active choice to pay attention, whereas entendre refers to the physical ability to perceive sound.
- The conjunction et was frequently written as just e during the Old French period before the 't' was officially re-established in the 12th century.
Examples in context
- Écoutez et répétez après moi.Listen and repeat after me.
- Écoutez et répétez chaque mot.Listen and repeat every word.
- S'il vous plaît, écoutez et répétez.Please, listen and repeat.
Example conversation
A French teacher is leading a classroom activity.
- LéaÉcoutez et répétez : bonjour.Listen and repeat: hello.
- GabrielBonjour.Hello.
- LéaTrès bien, Gabriel. Écoutez et répétez : enchanté.Very good, Gabriel. Listen and repeat: nice to meet you.
- GabrielEnchanté.Nice to meet you.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries et, CC BY-SA 4.0.
