allumer la lumière
To turn on the light in French is to say allumer la lumière.
This phrase is used to describe starting the flow of electricity to a lamp or light fixture so that it provides light.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb allumer literally means to light or ignite something, such as a fire or a lamp.
Which one should you use?
While allumer la lumière refers to the light itself, you can also say allumer la lampe if you are specifically referring to a lamp. The opposite of this phrase is éteindre la lumière, which means to turn off the light.
Did you know?
- In French, the word lumière can refer to both the physical light source and the concept of 'light' as knowledge or truth, as seen in the historical period called le Siècle des Lumières or the Age of Enlightenment.
- The opposite phrase éteindre la lumière uses the verb éteindre, which is also used to describe quenching a fire or putting out a cigarette.
- While you say allumer la lumière to turn on a light, if you are using a light switch, you might also hear someone say mettre la lumière, which literally means 'to put the light'.
Examples in context
- Merci d'allumer la lumière.Please turn on the light.Tatoeba #3659685 by sacredceltic, translation #279150 by CK
- Puis-je allumer la lumière ?May I turn on the light?Tatoeba #5737029 by Petrus, translation #6849762 by CK
- Tu peux allumer la lumière ?Can you turn on the light?Tatoeba #7236755 by Aiji, translation #3329685 by CK
- Tu peux allumer la lumière?You can turn on the light?
- Peux-tu allumer la lumière du salon?Can you turn on the light in the living room?
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
In a dimly lit living room during the evening.
- ChloéHugo, peux-tu allumer la lumière ?Hugo, can you turn on the light?
- HugoOui, je vais allumer la lumière tout de suite.Yes, I will turn on the light right away.
- ChloéMerci, il fait très sombre ici.Thanks, it is very dark in here.
- HugoVoilà, c'est mieux comme ça ?There, is it better like this?
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
