promener le chien
To walk the dog in French is promener le chien.
This phrase is used to describe taking a dog for a walk specifically to provide it with exercise or a stroll.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb promener (to walk or to stroll) and le chien (the dog).
Which one should you use?
While promener le chien implies a stroll or exercise, the phrase sortir le chien is often used more simply to mean taking the dog outside, such as to go to the bathroom.
How does it change in a sentence?
In this context, the verb promener is a transitive verb, which means it requires a direct object like le chien to complete the action.
Did you know?
- The verb promener is built from mener, which means 'to lead' or 'to drive'. This implies that the human is leading the dog, rather than just walking beside it.
- While chien is standard in France, regional languages like Occitan use can or chin and Catalan uses ca.
- The word chien is used in many French idiomatic expressions to describe someone's temper or a difficult situation, far beyond the animal itself.
Examples in context
- Tu peux promener le chien ?Could you walk the dog?This sentence is useful for asking if someone is able to walk the dog using promener le chien.Tatoeba #11054435 by lbdx, translation #6597981 by CK
- Qui ira promener le chien ?Who's going to walk the dog?This sentence is useful for asking who is going to walk the dog using promener le chien.Tatoeba #12977986 by Rovo, translation #12070037 by ddnktr
- Va promener le chien, s'il te plaît.Walk the dog, please.This sentence is useful for requesting that someone walk the dog using promener le chien.Tatoeba #10520807 by lbdx, translation #6596469 by Eccles17
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
In a living room on a Sunday afternoon.
- LéaEst-ce que tu vas promener le chien ?Are you going to walk the dog?
- LucasOui, je vais le promener tout de suite.Yes, I am going to walk him right now.
- LéaC'est gentil, il a besoin de sortir.That's kind, he needs to go out.
- LucasJe reviens dans vingt minutes.I will be back in twenty minutes.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chien, le, promener, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
