asseyez-vous, s'il vous plaît
The English phrase "sit down, please" is translated into French as asseyez-vous, s'il vous plaît.
This phrase is used as a polite request for someone to take a seat.
What does it mean word for word?
The expression asseyez-vous literally means "sit yourself". The verb asseyez is the imperative form of asseoir (to sit) and vous is the reflexive pronoun meaning "yourself".
Which one should you use?
Assieds-toi, s'il te plaît is the informal version of the phrase.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase asseyez-vous, s'il vous plaît uses the formal vous form.
Did you know?
- In very prestigious settings, a speaker might avoid the verb 'to sit' entirely and use prenez place, which literally means 'take place'.
- The formal vous descends from the Latin vōs and is a cognate of the Italian voi and Russian вы (vy).
- While asseyez-vous is the standard request, in highly formal contexts like diplomatic meetings, you might hear veuillez vous asseoir to express an even higher degree of deference.
Examples in context
- Assieds-toi, s'il te plaît.Please sit down.
- Installe-toi, je t'en prie.Make yourself comfortable, please.
- Monsieur, asseyez-vous, s'il vous plaît.Sir, sit down, please.
Example conversation
Chloé welcomes Hugo to her office for a meeting.
- ChloéBonjour Hugo, entrez.Hello Hugo, come in.
- HugoMerci Chloé.Thank you Chloé.
- ChloéAsseyez-vous, s'il vous plaît.Sit down, please.
- HugoC'est très gentil, merci.That is very kind, thank you.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries vous, CC BY-SA 4.0.
