debout
/də.bu/
The French word for upright is debout.
debout is used to describe a person's physical posture or position, such as being standing up. In formal contexts, the term Vertical can also be used to describe something standing tall or straight.
Meaning: vertical, erect (adj)
Which one should you use?
While debout means standing or upright, assis is the specific term used for being seated.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word debout is an adverb and does not change its form to agree with the gender or number of the noun it describes.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of debout is /də.bu/. It has 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- The word debout literally translates to being 'at the end' or 'at the tip' of something, derived from the old French word bout.
- The expression se tenir debout can imply a moral stance or courage in French literature, representing a refusal to submit to an oppressor.
- While you use debout to mean you are standing, the French use the word debout to describe things that are 'on end', like a box placed vertically on a shelf.
Examples in context
- Louis se tient toujours droit, même après de longues journées de travail.Louis always stands upright, even after long workdays.
- Fier et droit, il a refusé de compromettre ses valeurs.Proud and upright, he refused to compromise his values.
- Nous devons nous assurer que les étagères sont bien droites avant de les fixer.We need to make sure the shelves are upright before securing them.
- Il reste debout dans le bus.He stays standing in the bus.
- Elle est restée debout toute la journée.She stayed standing all day.
Example conversation
At a crowded bus stop.
- NathanEst-ce que tu peux rester debout ?Can you stand up?
- ManonOui, je suis déjà debout, Nathan.Yes, I am already standing, Nathan.
- NathanDésolé, je pensais que tu étais assise.Sorry, I thought you were sitting.
- ManonCe n'est pas grave.It's not a problem.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry debout, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries debout, CC BY-SA 4.0.
