d'ici là
The English phrase "until then" is translated into French as d'ici là.
d'ici là is used to refer to the period of time between the present moment and a specific event or moment in the future.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a contraction of de (from), ici (here) and là (there), which conveys the temporal sense of "from here to there."
Which one should you use?
While d'ici là is a common idiomatic way to express "until then", the phrase jusqu'à ce moment-là is a more literal way to refer to a specific point in time, meaning "until that moment".
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase d'ici là is adverbial and does not change its form based on the gender or number of the subject or the specific event being referenced.
Did you know?
- The expression d'ici là essentially treats time like a physical journey. By using 'from here to there', French speakers conceptualize the waiting period as a path between two geographical points.
- The grave accent in là was specifically introduced to distinguish the word for 'there' from the feminine article la meaning 'the'.
- The word là is a linguistic cousin to the Spanish allá and Portuguese lá, all descending from the Latin illāc.
Examples in context
- Nous n'aurons pas de réunion jusqu'à ce moment-là.We won't have a meeting until then.
- Veuillez patienter d'ici là.Please wait until then.
- D'ici là, prépare-toi pour la soirée.Until then, get ready for the party.
- On se voit mardi. D'ici là, porte-toi bien !See you Tuesday. Until then, take care!
- On se voit demain, d'ici là, bonne nuit.See you tomorrow, until then, good night.
- Le concert est en juillet, d'ici là, je vais m'entraîner.The concert is in July, until then, I'm going to practice.
- Il part en vacances dans un mois, d'ici là, il doit finir son travail.He goes on vacation in a month, until then, he must finish his work.
Example conversation
Two friends are saying goodbye before one of them leaves for a trip.
- ChloéBon voyage, Hugo !Have a good trip, Hugo!
- HugoMerci Chloé, on s'appelle la semaine prochaine.Thanks Chloé, we will call each other next week.
- ChloéD'accord, d'ici là, porte-toi bien.Okay, until then, take care of yourself.
- HugoMerci, à bientôt !Thanks, see you soon!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries là, CC BY-SA 4.0.
