tu m'as vendu
The English phrase "you sold me" is translated into French as tu m'as vendu.
This phrase is used when someone betrays your trust or gives you up to another person.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a literal translation of "you sold me" using the passé composé tense.
Which one should you use?
While tu m'as vendu is the standard form, you can use the slang term tu m'as balancé if you specifically mean "you snitched on me".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Canadian French, the phrase Tu m'as roulé(e) is used to mean "You fooled me".
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the direct object pronoun m' (me), which is placed before the auxiliary verb as (have).
Did you know?
- While tu m'as vendu means betrayal, the French use vendre in the phrase vendre la mèche to describe the act of letting a secret slip, which literally means 'to sell the wick'.
- If someone is 'sold' in a more general sense of being tricked into something, a French speaker might say they were mené en bateau, which means 'led in a boat'.
- The slang version tu m'as balancé comes from the verb balancer, which literally means 'to throw' or 'to toss'.
Examples in context
- Je ne te fais plus confiance, tu m'as vendu.I don't trust you anymore, you sold me out.
- On était amis, mais tu m'as vendu pour une promotion.We were friends, but you sold me out for a promotion.
- Tu m'as vendu au patron, c'est incroyable.You sold me out to the boss, it's unbelievable.
Example conversation
Chloé is confronting Nathan after discovering he told their secret to their teacher.
- ChloéTu m'as vendu au professeur, Nathan.You sold me out to the teacher, Nathan.
- NathanJe ne l'ai pas fait exprès, Chloé.I didn't do it on purpose, Chloé.
- ChloéPourtant, tu m'as vendu devant tout le monde.And yet, you sold me out in front of everyone.
- NathanJe suis vraiment désolé de t'avoir trahie.I am really sorry for betraying you.
