suivez-moi, s'il vous plaît
The English phrase "please follow me" is translated into French as suivez-moi, s'il vous plaît.
This phrase is used to make a polite request for someone to come after you to a specific destination.
Which one should you use?
The form suivez-moi is used when addressing one person formally or when addressing a group of people.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers may confuse suis (the imperative of suivre, to follow) with suis (the first-person singular of être, to be) because they are spelled the same.
Did you know?
- In certain historical contexts, the command suis-moi was used in French religious texts to describe a spiritual following of a leader or deity, moving the phrase from a physical direction to a lifelong commitment.
- The French word vous shares a common ancestor with the Italian voi and the Russian вы, as all three derive from the same ancient root used to address a group.
- In modern French, switching from the formal suivez-moi to the informal suis-moi can be a deliberate way to create an immediate sense of intimacy or camaraderie.
Examples in context
- Suivez-moi, s'il vous plaît, pour voir la salle de réunion.Please follow me to see the meeting room.
- Le restaurant est par là, suivez-moi, s'il vous plaît.The restaurant is that way, please follow me.
- Suivez-moi, s'il vous plaît, jusqu'à la sortie.Please follow me to the exit.
Example conversation
A museum guide is leading a visitor to a gallery.
- ChloéBonjour Gabriel, suivez-moi, s'il vous plaît.Hello Gabriel, please follow me.
- GabrielMerci beaucoup, Chloé.Thank you very much, Chloé.
- ChloéLa galerie est juste ici.The gallery is right here.
- GabrielC'est magnifique !It is magnificent!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries vous, CC BY-SA 4.0.
