tes livres
The English phrase 'your books' is translated into French as tes livres.
This phrase is used to refer to books that belong to the person being spoken to.
Which one should you use?
While tes livres is the standard informal way to express this, you should use vos livres when speaking to someone formally or when addressing a group of people. For a more descriptive formal option, you can also use les livres qui vous appartiennent, which means 'the books that belong to you'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The possessive adjective tes must agree in number with the plural noun livres.
Did you know?
- In French, the word livre can mean both 'book' and 'pound' as in the unit of weight or the British currency. In the phrase tes livres, the context tells the listener whether you are talking about reading material or money.
- French has a dedicated word, bouquin, which is a common informal alternative to livre. Using tes bouquins instead of tes livres makes the sentence sound much more casual and colloquial.
- The word livres comes from the Latin 'liber', which also forms the root of the English word 'library'.
Examples in context
- Tes livres me plaisent.I like your books.This example shows how to express liking someone's books using tes livres.Tatoeba #9477152 by felix63, translation #5347144 by mailohilohi
- J'adore tes livres.I love your books.This example shows how to express loving someone's books using tes livres.Tatoeba #5558981 by sacredceltic, translation #5347145 by mailohilohi
- Ne pose pas tes livres sur la table.Don't park your books on the table.This example shows how to give a command regarding where to place tes livres.Tatoeba #3924425 by MichelMarc, translation #39598 by orcrist
- Vous pouvez ranger vos livres dans la bibliothèque.You can put your books on the shelf.
- Tu devrais prêter tes livres à Marie.You should lend your books to Marie.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Emma are in the living room.
- HugoOù sont tes livres, Emma ?Where are your books, Emma?
- EmmaIls sont sur l'étagère.They are on the shelf.
- HugoJe ne vois pas tes livres.I don't see your books.
- EmmaRegarde bien, Hugo.Look closely, Hugo.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
