s'il vous plaît appelez-moi
The English phrase "please call me" is translated into French as s'il vous plaît appelez-moi.
This phrase is used to make a polite request for someone to contact you by telephone.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase translates to "if it pleases you call me".
How does it change in a sentence?
In this phrase, appelez is the verb used in the imperative mood to make a request. The phrase s'il vous plaît is the formal way to say "please" and corresponds to the vous form used in the verb appelez-moi.
Did you know?
- The word appelez contains the same root as the English word 'appeal', which stems from the Latin 'appellare' meaning 'to call toward'.
- The pronoun vous used in this phrase is a cognate of the Russian word вы 'vy' and the Italian voi. All three languages use these specific forms to address people formally or in the plural.
- While appeler means 'to call' on the phone, it is also the word for 'to name' someone. If you ask someone comment vous appelez-vous?, you are asking what their name is, not who they are calling.
Examples in context
- S'il vous plaît, appelez-moi dès que possible.Please call me as soon as possible.
Example conversation
Emma is leaving a message for a client.
- EmmaBonjour Gabriel, je suis absente maintenant.Hello Gabriel, I am away right now.
- GabrielJe comprends, Emma. Quel est le problème ?I understand, Emma. What is the problem?
- EmmaJe veux discuter du dossier. S'il vous plaît appelez-moi.I want to discuss the file. Please call me.
- GabrielD'accord, je vous appelle ce soir.Okay, I will call you tonight.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries vous, CC BY-SA 4.0.
