de haut en bas
The English phrase "up and down" is translated into French as de haut en bas.
This phrase is an adverb used to describe movement that is upward and downward alternately.
Meaning: upward and downward, alternately (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, de haut en bas means "from top to bottom".
Which one should you use?
While de haut en bas means moving from top to bottom, you should use de bas en haut if you want to express the opposite direction, which is "from bottom to top".
Did you know?
- To describe someone who is acting in an unstable or erratic way, French uses the phrase en dents de scie, which means 'in the shape of a saw' rather than 'up and down'.
- In French, bas can be a shorthand term for bas-de-chausses, which were the stockings or hose worn by men in historical dress.
- While de haut en bas describes physical movement, French uses the phrase regarder de haut to mean looking down on someone with contempt.
Examples in context
- Les températures sont en baisseTemperatures are going down
- Je suis monté en haut de l'arbreI climbed up the tree
- Il regarde de haut en bas.He looks up and down.
- Le curseur bouge de haut en bas.The cursor moves up and down.
Example conversation
Léa and Lucas are looking at a large painting in a gallery.
- LéaC'est magnifique, je regarde le tableau de haut en bas.It's magnificent, I'm looking at the painting from top to bottom.
- LucasOui, les couleurs sont vraiment impressionnantes.Yes, the colors are truly impressive.
- LéaTu trouves que le cadre est trop grand ?Do you think the frame is too big?
- LucasNon, Lucas pense que c'est parfait comme ça.No, Lucas thinks it's perfect as it is.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bas, de, en, haut, CC BY-SA 4.0.
