Meaning
« Would you please » est une expression polie en anglais utilisée pour faire une demande ou une requête de manière respectueuse. Cette formule permet de montrer du respect envers l'interlocuteur en adoucissant la demande. Par exemple, si vous souhaitez demander à quelqu'un de fermer la fenêtre, vous pourriez dire : « Would you please close the window? ». L'utilisation de « would » et « please » ensemble exprime un haut degré de politesse.
En français, cette expression peut être comparée à des formulations comme « Pourriez-vous s'il vous plaît... » ou « Auriez-vous l'amabilité de... ». Elle est couramment utilisée dans des contextes professionnels ou formels, mais elle est également appropriée dans des situations informelles lorsque vous souhaitez être particulièrement courtois.
En résumé, « Would you please » est une façon d'introduire une requête avec politesse et respect, ce qui peut aider à obtenir une réponse positive de la part de votre interlocuteur.
Today's Sentences
- Would you please be quiet?
- Would you please close the door?
- Would you please grab my car keys?
- Would you please turn down the volume?
- Would you please hold my place in line?
- Writer's Note
01
Would you please be quiet?
Situation 1
Would you please be quiet?
Excuse me?
I’ve been sitting in this coffee shop listening to you talk on the phone for the past 20 minutes.
I had no idea I was that loud.
I apologize.
Je m'excuse.
Situation 2
Would you please be quiet?
Why?
This is a restricted noise area.
We’re trying to protect the concentration of those using the library.
Nous essayons de protéger la concentration de ceux qui utilisent la bibliothèque.
I’ll keep my voice down.
02
Would you please close the door?
Situation 1
Get some sleep.
Good night.
Bonne nuit.
Would you please close the door?
Sure thing.
Thanks, good night.
Situation 2
Professor, I need to talk about something with you.
Come in.
Would you please close the door?
Pourriez-vous, s'il vous plaît, fermer la porte ?
Sure.
I would like to appeal my grade with you.
Je voudrais faire appel de ma note auprès de vous.
Do you have the necessary forms for the appeal?
03
Would you please grab my car keys?
Situation 1
I’m leaving for work now.
Ok.
See you at dinner.
À ce soir pour le dîner.
Oh no, would you please grab my car keys?
Here, you left them on the dresser.
Situation 2
Would you please grab my car keys?
Sure.
Where are they?
Où sont-ils ?
They should be on the island in the kitchen.
Found them!
04
Would you please turn down the volume?
Situation 1
Would you please turn down the volume?
I’m sorry.
Was the music too loud?
La musique était-elle trop forte ?
Yes, I have to get up early tomorrow.
I apologize.
We’re having a party here but I’ll keep the music to a minimum.
Nous organisons une fête ici, mais je vais garder la musique au minimum.
Situation 2
Would you please turn down the volume?
Is the TV bothering you?
I’m trying to study for my exam.
Sorry about that.
I’ll turn it down.
Je vais baisser le volume.
05
Would you please hold my place in line?
Situation 1
Excuse me, would you please hold my place in line?
Unfortunately, no I can’t.
Why not?
Well, it wouldn’t be fair to the others waiting in line.
Situation 2
I’m sorry to ask but would you please hold my place in line?
Sure.
Will you be long?
En aurez-vous pour longtemps ?
No, not at all.
I just need to take my daughter to the restroom.
Je dois juste emmener ma fille aux toilettes.
Don’t worry.
I’ll keep your place.
Je garderai votre place.
Writer's Note
Kind of vs. Sort of
"Sort of" and "kind of" are nearly always interchangeable.
You use "kind of/sort of" when you want to say that something or someone can be roughly described in a particular way.
Since we’ve covered "kind of" above, here are some "sort of" examples.
Q. Are you feeling better?
A. Sort of.
A. Sort of.
Q. We’ve got some new types that have come in. How about these ones?
A. That’s the sort of tent I was looking for.
A. C’est le genre de tente que je cherchais.
Q. What do you do when you’re at home?
A. I enjoy listening to music, drawing, that sort of thing.
A. J'apprécie écouter de la musique, dessiner, ce genre de choses.
Q. Is something wrong with the car?
A. Tire problems, squeaking brakes, these sorts of things.
A. Des problèmes de pneus, des freins qui grincent, ce genre de choses.
