attention
/a.tɑ̃.sjɔ̃/
The English phrase "warning" can be translated into French as attention.
The word attention is often used as a general warning. Other expressions exist depending on the context: mise en garde is an appropriate expression for a warning intended to protect someone, while prends garde translates to 'Take care' or 'Be cautious.' You might also say attention à toi to tell someone to look out for themselves.
Meaning: something spoken or written that is intended to warn (noun)
Which one should you use?
While attention is used as an interjection to grab someone's attention (like 'Watch out!'), avertissement is the noun used for a formal or written warning. Additionally, gare à toi can be translated to 'Beware' or 'Watch out for yourself.'
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/a.tɑ̃.sjɔ̃/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use attention to mean a formal warning (like a legal warning), but in French, a formal warning is an avertissement.
Did you know?
- The phrase Gare à toi is much more aggressive and ominous than the English 'Watch out', often sounding like a direct threat in a confrontation.
- The formal warning avertissement is the same word used in French for a 'preface' or 'foreword' in a book, implying a preliminary notification.
- In historical French contexts, a mise en garde was often a formal military warning to prepare defenses before an attack.
Examples in context
- Attention, c'est très épicé.Warning! It's very spicy.This sentence is useful for giving a quick warning about something spicy.Tatoeba #7364823 by tras, translation #7371420 by Eccles17
- Personne ne prêta attention à son avertissement.No attention was paid to his warning.This sentence shows the use of attention in a context regarding a warning.Tatoeba #1089946 by sacredceltic, translation #285964 by bjowi
- Ils n'ont pas prêté attention à l'avertissement.They gave no heed to the warning.This sentence shows the use of avertissement regarding a warning.Tatoeba #8638971 by lbdx, translation #306419 by CM
- Attention! Le sol est glissant.Attention! The floor is slippery.
- Prudence, il y a des travaux en cours.Be cautious, there are ongoing construction works.
- Fais gaffe, il y a un nid de poule devant toi.Watch out, there's a pothole in front of you.
- Attention à toi quand tu traverses la rue.Take care when crossing the street.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon is warning Lucas about a slippery floor.
- ManonAttention, le sol est glissant !Watch out, the floor is slippery!
- LucasOh, merci de m'avoir prévenu.Oh, thanks for warning me.
- ManonC'est un petit rappel, fais attention.It's a little reminder, be careful.
- LucasJe vais marcher très lentement.I will walk very slowly.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry attention, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
