montre-moi
The English phrase "show me" is translated to French as montre-moi.
This phrase is used to request that someone allows you to see something or to demonstrate how something is done.
How does it change in a sentence?
When addressing a person formally or a group of people, use montrez-moi. If you add the direct object pronoun le (it) to the imperative, it is placed between the verb and the indirect object pronoun moi, resulting in montre-le-moi. In the negative imperative, the pronouns move before the verb, as seen in ne me montre pas for "don't show me".
Did you know?
- If you want to say 'show me the way' in a poetic or old-fashioned sense, you might use montre-moi le chemin, but in modern slang, one might say montre-moi le bail to ask someone to show them what is happening.
- If you want to 'show' someone a way of doing something in a professional training context, French speakers often prefer the verb expliquer (to explain) over montrer.
- The phrase montrer du doigt literally means 'to show with the finger' and is the standard way to say 'to point at'.
Examples in context
- Montre-moi le tien !Show me yours!This sentence is useful for using montre-moi with a possessive.Tatoeba #7498994 by Micsmithel, translation #871810 by sundown
- Montre-moi où il est.Show me where it is.This sentence is useful for using montre-moi to indicate a location.Tatoeba #13052316 by Rovo, translation #12149946 by sundown
- Montre-moi du respect !Show me some respect.This sentence is useful for using montre-moi with an abstract concept like respect.Tatoeba #1945403 by sacredceltic, translation #1943927 by Spamster
- Montre-moi la vue magnifiqueShow me the magnificent view
- Montre-moi comment cuisiner celaShow me how to cook that
- Veuillez me montrer le document s'il vous plaît.Please show me the document, if you would.
- Montre-moi ta nouvelle voiture !Show me your new car!
- 103 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo is showing Chloé a new magic trick.
- ChloéMontre-moi comment tu fais ça.Show me how you do that.
- HugoRegarde bien mes mains.Watch my hands closely.
- ChloéC'est impressionnant !It's impressive!
- HugoJe peux te le refaire.I can do it again for you.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
