tu as gagné
The phrase "you won" in French is translated as tu as gagné.
This phrase is used to tell someone that they have been victorious in a game or competition.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, tu as gagné translates to "you have won". It uses the present tense of the auxiliary verb avoir (to have) combined with the past participle of gagner (to win).
Which one should you use?
While English often uses the simple past "you won", French uses the passé composé tu as gagné to express this completed action. If you are addressing more than one person or using a formal tone, use vous avez gagné instead of tu as gagné.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form tu as gagné uses the informal singular tu. Use vous avez gagné if you are addressing multiple people (plural) or if you want to use a formal tone.
Did you know?
- The phrase gagner sa vie literally means 'to win one's life', though it is used exclusively to mean 'to earn a living'.
- The word tu is a cognate with the German 'du' and the Russian 'ты', all descending from a shared Proto-Indo-European root.
- If you want to say 'you won' in a more intense, slang-heavy way among friends, you might use the verb défoncer, though this is very informal and implies 'crushing' the competition.
Examples in context
- Tu as gagné à la loyale.You won, fair and square.This sentence shows how to say you won fairly.Tatoeba #12997651 by lbdx, translation #3723118 by CM
- Tu as gagné.You won.This is a simple way to say you won.Tatoeba #2923156 by Amastan, translation #2549833 by CK
- Tu as gagné !You won!This is an enthusiastic way to say you won.Tatoeba #2884094 by Popolon, translation #6884457 by tripbeetle
- Vous avez gagné le concours.You won the competition.
- Félicitations pour votre victoire au championnat.Congratulations on your victory at the championship.
- Bravo pour ta victoire à l'épreuve.Bravo on your victory in the competition.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Chloé are playing a board game at home.
- HugoBravo, tu as gagné !Well done, you won!
- ChloéC'est vrai ? Je n'y crois pas !Really? I don't believe it!
- HugoOui, Chloé, tu es la championne.Yes, Chloé, you are the champion.
- ChloéMerci beaucoup, Hugo !Thank you very much, Hugo!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries as, tu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
