What does it mean word for word?
Literally, ne quittez pas means "do not leave," implying "do not leave the line."
Which one should you use?
While ne quitte pas is the singular/informal version, it is rarely used in professional telephone contexts and would sound too casual.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ne quittez pas is the standard polite way to ask a caller to hold because it uses the "vous" form. Other formal options include Veuillez patienter, s'il vous plaît. (Please wait, if you please.) and Je vous prie de bien vouloir patienter. (I kindly ask you to wait.). In contrast, Attends un instant, s'il te plaît. (Wait a moment, please.) is an informal way to ask someone to wait.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the imperative form of the verb quitter (to leave) in the second-person plural/polite form.
Did you know?
- In older French, the word pas was sometimes replaced by other nouns to create negatives, such as goutte meaning 'a drop' or mie meaning 'a crumb'.
- While ne quittez pas is standard for phones, using the verb quitter in other contexts often implies a permanent departure, such as leaving a job or a partner.
- In very formal French business etiquette, professionals avoid the imperative mood of ne quittez pas and instead use Je vous prie de bien vouloir patienter.
Examples in context
- Ne quittez pas.Please hold on.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase ne quittez pas.Tatoeba #722690 by qdii, translation #49863 by CK
- Veuillez patienter un instant, s'il vous plaît.Please wait a moment, if you please.
- Je vous prie de bien vouloir patienter. Je m'excuse pour l'attente.I kindly ask you to wait. I apologize for the wait.
- Ne quittez pas, je cherche votre dossier.Please hold, I am looking for your file.
- Un instant, ne quittez pas la ligne.One moment, please stay on the line.
Example conversation
Hugo calls a company to ask for Manon.
- ManonBonjour, Manon est absente pour le moment.Hello, Manon is away at the moment.
- HugoEst-ce que je peux lui laisser un message ?Can I leave her a message?
- ManonElle revient bientôt, ne quittez pas.She will be back soon, please hold.
- HugoD'accord, j'attends.Okay, I'll wait.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ne, pas, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
