porter sur le dos
The English phrase "piggyback ride" is translated into French as porter sur le dos.
This phrase describes the act of a person carrying another person on their back.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase porter sur le dos literally means "to carry on the back".
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the infinitive verb porter, but in a complete sentence, this verb will be conjugated to match the subject, such as Je te porte sur le dos (I am carrying you on my back).
Did you know?
- In French, you do not use a word for 'piggy' in this expression. While English uses a cute animal reference, the French version is purely functional, describing the literal physical action of carrying someone on their 'dos'.
- The verb porter shares a root with the English word 'porter', a person hired to carry luggage.
- In French, you can describe someone as portant le monde sur son dos to mean they are carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders.
Examples in context
- Je peux vous porter sur le dos un moment ?Can I give you a piggyback ride for a while?
- Est-ce que tu peux me porter sur le dos ?Can you give me a piggyback ride?
- Je peux te porter sur le dos ?Can I carry you on my back?
Example conversation
A tired toddler is walking through a park with his parents.
- LéaIl est fatigué et veut que je le porte sur le dos.He is tired and wants me to carry him on my back.
- NathanTu peux le porter sur le dos un petit moment ?Can you carry him on your back for a little bit?
- LéaOui, je vais le porter sur le dos jusqu'à la voiture.Yes, I am going to carry him on my back to the car.
- NathanC'est une bonne idée, il est épuisé.That's a good idea, he is exhausted.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dos, le, porter, sur, CC BY-SA 4.0.
