regarde-moi maintenant
The English phrase 'look at me now' can be translated into French as regarde-moi maintenant.
Adding maintenant (now) emphasizes the immediacy or a change in the current moment, similar to the English usage.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the imperative verb regarde (look), the object pronoun moi (me) and the adverb maintenant (now).
How does it change in a sentence?
The imperative form changes from regarde-moi to regardez-moi when addressing someone formally or a group of people. To make the command negative, the pronoun moi changes to me and is placed before the verb: ne me regarde pas.
Did you know?
- Using Regarde-moi maintenant with a stranger in a crowded street would likely be interpreted as a confrontation or a challenge to a fight.
- The word maintenant is inherited from Old French maintenant, which originally combined 'main' (hand) and 'tenir' (to hold), literally meaning 'holding in the hand'.
- In French, the phrase ça ne me regarde pas means 'that is none of my business', rather than a request for someone to stop looking at them.
Examples in context
- Regardez-moi maintenant, j'ai acquis une expérience solideLook at me now, I have gained valuable experience
- Tu vois où j'en suis maintenant ? Je viens d'acheter ma première maison !Do you see where I am now? I just bought my first house!
- Regarde-moi maintenant, je suis prête.Look at me now, I am ready.
- Regarde-moi maintenant avec ce nouveau costume.Look at me now in this new suit.
- S'il te plaît, regarde-moi maintenant.Please, look at me now.
Example conversation
Gabriel is showing off his new haircut to Manon.
- GabrielRegarde-moi maintenant, Manon !Look at me now, Manon!
- ManonOh, ta coupe est vraiment superbe, Gabriel.Oh, your haircut is truly superb, Gabriel.
- GabrielMerci, j'aime beaucoup ce style.Thanks, I really like this style.
- ManonCela te va très bien.It suits you very well.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries maintenant, CC BY-SA 4.0.
