éteindre les lumières
The English phrase 'turn off the lights' is translated into French as éteindre les lumières.
This phrase is used to describe stopping the flow of electricity to a lamp or light fixture so that it no longer provides light. You may also see the singular form éteindre la lumière used to refer to the general illumination in a room.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb éteindre literally means 'to extinguish' and is used for lights, fires or electronic devices.
Which one should you use?
While English speakers often use the plural 'the lights', French speakers frequently use the singular la lumière to refer to the light in a room. Additionally, the verb éteindre is the correct choice for lights, whereas fermer is used for closing things.
How does it change in a sentence?
The imperative form éteins les lumières is used when addressing one person informally. To address multiple people or to be formal, you would use éteignez les lumières.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying fermer les lumières to mean 'turn off the lights'. Instead, use the verb éteindre.
Did you know?
- Using éteindre for a light is a linguistic fossil from the era of candles and oil lamps.
- The opposite of éteindre for lights is allumer, which is also the verb used for lighting a candle or a campfire.
- The word les in this phrase is a direct descendant of the Latin accusative plural 'illōs', which originally meant 'those' or 'them'.
Examples in context
- Puis-je éteindre les lumières ?May I turn off the lights?This example is useful for asking permission to turn off the lights with éteindre les lumières.Tatoeba #3591482 by sacredceltic, translation #3591382 by CK
- Veuillez éteindre les lumières !Please turn off the lights.This example is useful for making a polite request to turn off the lights with éteindre les lumières.Tatoeba #4996154 by sacredceltic, translation #2510837 by Hybrid
- J'ai oublié d'éteindre les lumières quand je suis parti.I forgot to turn off the lights when I left.This example is useful for describing a past action of forgetting to turn off the lights with éteindre les lumières.Tatoeba #11118688 by Aiji, translation #10899838 by CK
- Veuillez éteindre les lumières du couloir, s'il vous plaît.Please turn off the lights in the hallway.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Hugo are preparing to watch a movie in the living room.
- ChloéLe film commence, on peut éteindre les lumières ?The movie is starting, can we turn off the lights?
- HugoOui, je m'en occupe tout de suite.Yes, I'll take care of it right now.
- ChloéMerci Hugo, c'est beaucoup mieux comme ça.Thanks Hugo, it's much better this way.
- HugoDe rien, profitons maintenant du film.You're welcome, let's enjoy the movie now.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries les, éteindre, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
