vous les gars
The English phrase "you guys" can be translated into French as vous les gars.
The phrase is an informal way to address a group of people. The component les gars translates to "the guys" and is used to address a group of friends in an informal tone. If you are addressing a group of friends, you might also use expressions such as les copains or les potes, which are equivalent to "buddies" or "mates".
Which one should you use?
To address an all-female group informally, you would replace les gars with les filles.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Canadian French dialects, particularly in Quebec, vous autres is used to address a group.
Did you know?
- If you use vous les gars in a professional setting, it will likely be perceived as quite jarring or even disrespectful, regardless of how friendly the group is.
- In certain regions of France, such as Picardy, the word vous is shortened even further to just os in local speech.
- While 'les gars' sounds like it refers only to males, it is often used as a gender-neutral way to address a group of friends in casual settings, much like 'guys' in English.
Examples in context
- Salut, vous allez bien les gars?Hi, are you guys doing well?
- Les gars, on se retrouve pour le dîner ce soir?Guys, shall we meet up for dinner tonight?
- Allez les copains, on y va!Come on, buddies, let's go!
- Les potes, vous venez à la fête samedi?Mates, are you coming to the party on Saturday?
- Merci à vous tous d'être ici aujourd'hui.Thank you all for being here today.
- Les mecs, venez voir cette vidéo, elle est hilarante!Guys, come watch this video, it's hilarious!
- Merci à vous autres d'être venus me rendre visite.Thank you all for coming to visit me.
Example conversation
Hugo is meeting his friends and Léa at a cafe.
- HugoSalut ! Ça va, vous les gars ?Hi! How are you guys doing?
- LéaÇa va super, et toi Hugo ?We're doing great, and you Hugo?
- HugoTrès bien, on commande quoi ?Very well, what are we ordering?
- LéaOn prend des cafés pour tout le monde.We'll get coffees for everyone.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gars, les, vous, CC BY-SA 4.0.
