levez la main
The phrase "put up your hand" in French is translated as levez la main.
Levez la main is a formal expression meaning "put up your hand."
Which one should you use?
The infinitive lever la main is used to describe the action of raising one's hand in general, whereas levez la main is a command.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular informal form is lève la main, used when speaking to one person you know well or a child.
Did you know?
- The verb lever is also used in the expression lever le coude, which literally means 'to raise the elbow' but idiomally means 'to go out for a drink'.
- While levez la main is used for classrooms, the phrase main levée refers to a vote taken by a show of hands in formal assemblies.
- The Latin root of main, *manus, is the same root found in the English word 'manual', describing anything done by hand.
Examples in context
- Lorsque vous avez une question, levez la main, s'il vous plaît.When you have a question, please put up your hand.
- Levez la main pour poser une question.Put up your hand to ask a question.
- Levez la main si vous avez fini.Put up your hand if you have finished.
- S'il vous plaît, levez la main avant de parler.Please, put up your hand before speaking.
Example conversation
A teacher is speaking to a student in a classroom.
- GabrielLéa, levez la main pour répondre.Léa, put up your hand to answer.
- LéaDésolée, j'ai oublié, Monsieur Gabriel.Sorry, I forgot, Mr. Gabriel.
- GabrielCe n'est pas grave, faites-le maintenant.It's okay, do it now.
- LéaVoilà, je l'ai levée !There, I put it up!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries la, main, CC BY-SA 4.0.
