What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb voir (to see) and the adverbial phrase ci-joint (attached/enclosed here).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Professional French correspondence often uses the more formal expression Veuillez trouver ci-joint… (Please find attached…). Another formal option is J'ai le plaisir de vous envoyer en pièce jointe… (I am pleased to send you attached…). For informal situations, you can use Je t'ai envoyé un fichier en pièce jointe… (I sent you a file as an attachment).
How does it change in a sentence?
The word ci-joint behaves differently depending on its position in a sentence. When it is used as an adverbial phrase before a noun, such as in voir ci-joint le document, it remains invariable and does not change for gender or number. However, if it is used as an adjective following the noun it modifies, it must agree in gender and number with that noun, such as in la pièce ci-jointe.
Did you know?
- The root of voir is the Proto-Indo-European word *weyd-, which is an ancient relative of the English word 'wit' and the concept of 'witness'.
- The word ci-joint uses the prefix ci-, a shortened form of ici (here), essentially telling the reader the document is 'here-joined'.
- In French, the word for a digital attachment, pièce jointe, literally translates to 'joined piece'.
Examples in context
- Veuillez trouver ci-joint le fichierPlease find attached the file
- Voici la pièce jointeHere is the attachment
- Veuillez trouver ci-joints les documentsPlease find attached the documents
- J'ai le plaisir de vous envoyer en pièces jointes les photosI am pleased to send you attached the photos
- Veuillez trouver ci-joint le documentPlease find attached the document
- J'ai pensé que cela pourrait t'intéresser, donc je t'ai joint le fichier.I thought you might find it interesting, so I have attached the file for you.
- Veuillez voir le document ci-joint.Please see the attached document.
- Pour plus de détails, voir ci-joint le rapport.For more details, see the attached report.
Example conversation
Nathan sends an email to Manon about a project.
- NathanBonjour Manon, voir ci-joint le planning.Hello Manon, see the schedule attached.
- ManonMerci Nathan, je regarde ça tout de suite.Thanks Nathan, I will look at that right away.
- NathanDis-moi si tu as des questions.Let me know if you have any questions.
- ManonC'est entendu, je te tiens au courant.Understood, I'll keep you posted.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries voir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
