Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to say “this way” in French! Whether you want to express directions, give instructions, or simply describe a specific direction or manner, we’ve got you covered. In this guide, we will explore both formal and informal ways to convey this phrase, providing you with plenty of tips, examples, and even some regional variations. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “This Way” in French
When it comes to formal language, French offers a variety of expressions to indicate “this way”. Let’s explore some of the most common ones:
“De cette manière” – This is a formal and straightforward way to express “this way” in French. It is commonly used in formal settings, such as giving instructions or directions.
Example:
“Veuillez procéder de cette manière.” – “Please proceed this way.”
“De cette façon” – Similar to “de cette manière,” this expression is often used in formal contexts, especially when giving directions or explaining a specific process.
Example:
“La salle de réunion est de cette façon, suivez-moi.” – “The meeting room is this way, follow me.”
Informal Ways to Say “This Way” in French
When it comes to informal language, French provides a more relaxed and colloquial approach to expressing “this way”. Let’s take a look at some informal ways to convey this phrase:
“Par ici” – This is a casual and widely used expression to say “this way” in French. It’s commonly used among friends or in everyday situations to give directions or guide someone towards a specific location or action.
Example:
“Le cinéma est par ici, suivez le panneau.” – “The cinema is this way, follow the sign.”
“Par là” – Another informal expression, “par là” means “over there” and is often used to indicate a specific direction or location. It can also be paired with “non, pas par là” (no, not that way) to indicate a different direction.
Example:
“Les magasins sont par là-bas.” – “The shops are over there.”
“Par-là-bas” – This expression is used to emphasize and specify a location or direction even further. It adds a sense of distance and can be used both formally and informally.
Example:
“Le parc est par-là-bas, à environ un kilomètre.” – “The park is that way, about a kilometer away.”
Regional Variations
French, being a language spoken in various regions, may have certain regional variations when it comes to expressing “this way”. While the formal and informal ways mentioned above are common throughout the French-speaking world, some regions may have unique colloquialisms or dialects. Here are a couple of examples:
“Ici c’est tout droit” – This expression is commonly used in some regions, especially in parts of France like Brittany. It means “this way is straight ahead” and is often used when giving directions.
Example:
“Pour aller à la plage, c’est tout droit.” – “To go to the beach, go straight ahead this way.”
“Par içi-même” – In certain regions, such as Quebec, you may come across this expression. It adds emphasis to the location or direction, similar to “par-là-bas”.
Example:
“Le restaurant est par içi-même, juste à côté de la boulangerie.” – “The restaurant is this way, right next to the bakery.”
Remember, regional variations are not necessarily common or universally understood, so sticking to the formal and informal expressions mentioned earlier is generally a safe bet.
Final Thoughts
Congratulations! You’ve now mastered various ways to say “this way” in French. Whether you need to express directions, provide instructions, or simply describe a specific direction or manner, you have a range of options at your disposal. Remember to consider the context, formality, and region when choosing the most appropriate expression. Keep practicing and using these phrases in real-life situations to become more fluent and confident in using the French language!
We hope you found this guide helpful. Bonne chance! (Good luck!)
