How do you say "Stand up." in French?

"Stand up." in French is "Mets-toi debout.". This phrase is commonly used in France.

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How to Say ‘Stand up.’ in French

Q: What does "Mets-toi debout." mean in English?

"Mets-toi debout." means "Stand up." in English. Usage tip: In commands with [toi], French links the verb and pronoun with a hyphen: [mets-toi], [tourne-toi], [dépêche-toi]. Here it literally means something like 'put yourself standing,' which is the usual way to say 'stand up.'

Mets-toi debout.

meh twah duh-boo

[meh twah duh-boo]

💬 Usage Tip: In commands with [toi], French links the verb and pronoun with a hyphen: [mets-toi], [tourne-toi], [dépêche-toi]. Here it literally means something like 'put yourself standing,' which is the usual way to say 'stand up.'

Phrase Breakdown

Mets-toi

meh twah

Stand yourself up / Get yourself

Reflexive imperative meaning to place yourself in a certain position.

Example

Mets-toi debout.

Stand up.

Words in this phrase

Mets

[meh]

put / place

Imperative instruction telling someone to move into a position.

Example

Mets les pieds ensemble avant de commencer.

Put your feet together before starting.

toi

[twah]

yourself

Reflexive pronoun used to tell someone to position themselves.

Example

Toi, avance un peu sur le tapis.

You, move a little forward on the mat.

debout

[duh-boo]

standing / stand up

Describes the upright position the teacher wants the student to take.

Example

Reste debout et respire lentement.

Stay standing and breathe slowly.

Guides for French learners

The Best App to Learn French: An Honest ComparisonDuolingo, Babbel, Pimsleur, Busuu, italki and PrettyFluent compared for learning French: what each is best at, how you pay, and which fits your goal.French Conversation for Beginners: 5 Everyday Dialogues You'll Actually UseFive short French conversations for beginners, from greeting a neighbour to booking a restaurant, with translations, native audio and the phrases that keep them going.

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