c'est à moi
The English phrase "this is mine" is translated into French as c'est à moi.
c'est à moi is used to state that a specific object belongs to the speaker. In spoken French, it is very common to add ça at the end of the phrase (c'est à moi, ça) to emphasize the object being pointed at.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase c'est à moi literally translates to "it is to me".
How does it change in a sentence?
Use c'est à moi to express possession of an object. This differs from using the possessive pronouns le mien or la mienne, which are used to replace a noun.
Did you know?
- In casual French, the phrase C'est à moi can be used as a way to say 'It's my turn' when playing a game or waiting in line.
- Using c'est à moi can sound more assertive or possessive than using le mien, making it the phrase of choice in a dispute over who owns an object.
- The preposition à used for possession actually traces its roots back to the Latin 'ad', meaning 'to' or 'towards'.
Examples in context
- Mais c'est à moi ça ! Tu me l'avais emprunté l'année dernière et tu ne me l'as jamais remis.This is mine! You borrowed it from me last year and you never returned it.This sentence is useful for illustrating the use of c'est à moi in a conversational context.Tatoeba #3386825 by Blabla, translation #13307173 by Lebensfreude
- C'est à moi, ce sac.This bag is mine.
- Ne touche pas ça, c'est à moi.Don't touch that, it is mine.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Hugo are at a cafe and Hugo picks up a phone.
- ChloéHugo, pose ce téléphone, c'est à moi.Hugo, put that phone down, it's mine.
- HugoOh, pardon ! Je pensais que c'était le tien.Oh, sorry! I thought it was yours.
- ChloéNon, c'est à moi.No, it's mine.
- HugoDésolé, je ne savais pas.Sorry, I didn't know.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries c'est, moi, à, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
