What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb attendre (to wait) and the object pronoun moi (me), literally translating to "wait me" because the French verb attendre is transitive and does not require a preposition like "for".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, the phrase Attends-moi icitte, s'il te plaît means "Wait for me here, please".
How does it change in a sentence?
The form attends-moi uses the singular tu imperative, which is used when speaking to one person you know well or one person in an informal setting. The form attendez-moi uses the vous imperative, which is used when speaking to a group of people or to one person in a formal or polite setting.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly say attends pour moi by translating "for" literally, but in French, attendre is used directly with the object without a preposition.
Did you know?
- In slang, if you want someone to 'wait' or 'hold on' for a second, you might hear people say Bouge pas, which literally means 'don't move'.
- The word attendre comes from the Latin 'attendere', which originally meant 'to stretch toward' or 'to give attention to'.
- The verb attendre is a false friend to the English verb 'attend'. In English, to 'attend' means to be present at an event, but in French, it means to wait.
Examples in context
- Attends-moi dans la voiture.Wait for me in the car.This sentence shows how to use attends-moi to specify a location.Tatoeba #5476491 by alexisslay, translation #5466120 by CK
- Attends-moi dans mon bureau.Wait for me in my office.Tatoeba #8387638 by Aiji, translation #5836303 by OsoHombre
- Attends-moi. Je vais revenir.Wait for me. I'll be back.This sentence shows how to use attends-moi as a standalone request.Tatoeba #7955809 by Aiji, translation #4017092 by CK
- Je suis en retard, pouvez-vous m'attendre ?I am late, can you wait for me?
- J'ai besoin de prendre mon manteau, attends-moi avant de partir, OK ?I need to grab my coat, wait for me before leaving, okay?
- Attends-moi à l'entrée et nous partirons ensemble.Wait for me at the entrance, and we'll leave together.
- 17 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Léa are walking in a park when Lucas realizes he dropped something.
- LucasLéa, attends-moi !Léa, wait for me!
- LéaQu'est-ce qui se passe, Lucas ?What's happening, Lucas?
- LucasJ'ai fait tomber mes clés.I dropped my keys.
- LéaD'accord, je t'attends ici.Okay, I am waiting for you here.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
