rentrer à pied
To walk home in French is rentrer à pied.
The phrase is used to express the action of returning to one's own house by walking. You can also use the synonymous phrase rentrer en marchant to describe the manner of your return.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb rentrer (to return or go back) and the prepositional phrase à pied (on foot).
Which one should you use?
While the verb rentrer alone often implies returning home, adding à pied specifies the mode of transport as walking.
How does it change in a sentence?
In this context, the verb rentrer is an intransitive verb and does not require a direct object to indicate the destination of 'home'.
Did you know?
- The word pied in rentrer à pied is a cognate of the Persian word pâ, meaning 'foot'.
- While rentrer usually means returning home, it is also the standard verb used for returning to one's home country after traveling abroad.
- The English word 'pedestrian' comes from the same linguistic root as the French word pied used in this phrase.
Examples in context
- On vient de rater le dernier bus, il va donc falloir rentrer à pied.We just missed the last bus, so we'll have to walk home.This sentence is useful for explaining a situation where you must rentrer à pied because a bus was missed.Tatoeba #10560535 by lbdx, translation #10559804 by CK
- Je vais rentrer à pied.I'll walk home.This sentence is useful for stating your intention to rentrer à pied.Tatoeba #11604082 by madjidoumnia, translation #6866131 by Hybrid
- Rentrez chez vous à pied, c'est une belle soirée pour une promenadeWalk home, it's a beautiful evening for a stroll
- Il fait beau, on peut rentrer à pied.The weather is nice, we can walk home.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Manon are finishing a late dinner at a restaurant.
- HugoIl est tard, je vais rentrer à pied.It's late, I'm going to walk home.
- ManonTu es sûr ? Je peux te raccompagner.Are you sure? I can walk you back.
- HugoC'est gentil, mais je préfère marcher un peu.That's kind, but I prefer to walk a bit.
- ManonD'accord, rentre bien alors !Okay, get home safely then!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pied, rentrer, à, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
