montre-toi
The English phrase "show yourself" can be translated into French as montre-toi.
This phrase is used as a command to tell someone to come out of hiding or to reveal their presence.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the imperative form of montrer (to show) and the reflexive pronoun toi (yourself).
Which one should you use?
Montre-toi is the informal singular command, whereas montrez-vous is the formal or plural command.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the imperative form for tu, the reflexive pronoun toi is placed after the verb and joined by a hyphen. The plural or formal version of the command is montrez-vous.
Did you know?
- The word montre is a homonym in French. While it is the command to 'show' in this phrase, it is also the common noun for a 'watch' used to tell time.
- The verb montrer is the root of the English word 'demonstrate'. Both come from the Latin monstrare, meaning to point out or indicate.
- If you were to use the phrase montre-toi to a person you do not know well or a superior, it could be perceived as an intentional insult. This is because the use of the informal toi implies a level of familiarity that may not exist.
Examples in context
- Montre-toi !Show yourself!This example shows how to use the command montre-toi.Tatoeba #1128956 by sacredceltic, translation #1127439 by cntrational
- Viens ici et montre-toi, je veux te présenter à mon ami.Come here and show yourself, I want to introduce you to my friend.
- Montre-toi à tes camarades de classe pour qu'ils te reconnaissent.Show yourself to your classmates so they can recognize you.
- Montre-toi, je sais que tu es là.Show yourself, I know you are there.
- Sors de l'ombre et montre-toi !Come out of the shadows and show yourself!
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé is playing hide and seek with Lucas in the living room.
- ChloéJe t'ai presque trouvé, Lucas !I've almost found you, Lucas!
- LucasTu ne me trouveras jamais.You'll never find me.
- ChloéAllez, montre-toi maintenant !Come on, show yourself now!
- LucasD'accord, je sors !Okay, I'm coming out!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
