Lâche-moi
The English phrase 'unhand me' can be translated into French as Lâche-moi.
Lâche-moi is used when someone is physically grabbing or holding onto you and you want them to release their grip.
Which one should you use?
Lâchez-moi is the formal or plural version of Lâche-moi, used when addressing someone with respect or multiple people.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the imperative form Lâche-moi, the pronoun moi follows the verb with a hyphen to indicate the object of the command.
Did you know?
- In modern French slang, lâcher is used in the phrase lâche-moi la grappe, which literally means 'release the grape cluster from me'. It is used to tell someone to stop annoying you or to leave you alone.
- While Lâche-moi is a command to release a person, the word lâche used as an adjective means 'coward'. Calling someone a lâche is a severe insult to their character.
- In a more figurative sense, lâcher prise means 'to let go' of an emotion or a situation, which is the French equivalent of the psychological concept of 'letting go' or 'surrendering' to the moment.
Examples in context
- Lâchez-moi, s'il vous plaît!Please let go of me!
- Lâchez-moi immédiatement!Release me immediately!
- Lâche-moi, ça fait mal!Let go, that hurts!
- Allez, lâche-moi maintenant!Come on, let go now!
- Lâche-moi, tu me fais mal !Unhand me, you're hurting me!
- Lâche-moi tout de suite !Unhand me right now!
- Lâche-moi, je veux partir.Unhand me, I want to leave.
Example conversation
Gabriel is jokingly holding Emma's arm.
- GabrielJe ne te laisserai pas partir !I won't let you go!
- EmmaLâche-moi, Gabriel !Unhand me, Gabriel!
- GabrielD'accord, je te lâche.Okay, I'll let go.
- EmmaMerci, tu es fatigant.Thanks, you are tiring.
