attention
/a.tɑ̃.sjɔ̃/
The English phrase 'watch out' can be translated into French as attention.
attention is a versatile expression used to get someone's attention or to warn them to proceed with caution. While it is often used as an interjection to mean 'watch out!', it is also a noun that translates to 'attention' or 'care'. To express the verb form 'to use caution', you can use the phrase faire attention.
Meaning: proceed with caution (intj)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using attention to mean 'watch out for' something, it is followed by the preposition à. If you are warning about a plural noun starting with a vowel or a silent 'h', the combination of à + les contracts to aux.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables and is pronounced /a.tɑ̃.sjɔ̃/.
Did you know?
- In a high-stress situation, a French speaker might skip the word attention entirely and simply yell Gare! which is a much more abrupt, archaic way to say 'watch out'.
- In French, the noun attention can also refer to a small, thoughtful gift or a kind gesture, such as a bouquet of flowers sent to a sick friend.
- The word attention shares the same Latin root as the English word 'intend', linking the act of warning someone to the act of directing one's mind.
Examples in context
- Attention aux zombis !Watch out for zombies.This sentence shows how to use attention when warning about zombies.Tatoeba #2187277 by sacredceltic, translation #2182087 by Hybrid
- Attention à la voiture !Watch out for the car!This sentence demonstrates using attention to warn about a car.Tatoeba #6548690 by felix63, translation #3135320 by Serhiy
- Attention ! Il y a un flash.Watch out! There's a speed camera.This sentence uses attention to warn about a speed camera.Tatoeba #1017353 by sacredceltic, translation #1014114 by sundown
- Faites attention!Pay attention!
- Faites attention! Les voitures arrivent rapidement!Watch out! The cars are coming fast!
- 34 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Nathan are walking through a construction site.
- EmmaAttention, Nathan ! Le sol est glissant.Watch out, Nathan! The ground is slippery.
- NathanOh, merci de m'avoir prévenu.Oh, thanks for warning me.
- EmmaFais attention où tu marches.Watch where you are walking.
- NathanJe vais faire très attention.I will be very careful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “watch out” translations and entries attention, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries attention, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
