French Phrase
Fais attention sur l'échelle.
Meaning
The sentence is a warning telling someone to be careful while using a ladder. It emphasizes the need for caution to avoid accidents.
When to use
Use this phrase when you see someone about to climb a ladder, especially in a workplace, at home during DIY projects, or on a construction site. It’s informal, so it’s appropriate with friends, family, or colleagues you address with ‘tu’.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Faisattentionsurl'échelle.
Imperative (tu) of faire
‘Fais’ is the second‑person singular informal imperative of the verb ‘faire’, used to give a direct command.
Attention (noun)
‘Attention’ here functions as a noun meaning ‘care’ or ‘caution’; it follows the imperative verb.
Preposition ‘sur’
‘Sur’ means ‘on’ or ‘upon’; it introduces the object of the caution.
Elision with l’
‘l’ is the elided form of the definite article ‘la’ before a vowel‑initial noun (‘échelle’).
Échelle (noun)
‘Échelle’ means ‘ladder’; it is a feminine singular noun.
🗨In Conversation
Je vais changer l'ampoule du plafond.
I’m going to change the ceiling light.
Fais attention sur l'échelle.
Be careful on the ladder.
✕Common Mistakes
Faites attention sur l'échelle.
‘Faites’ is the formal/plural imperative; use ‘Fais’ for informal singular ‘tu’.
Fais attention à l'échelle.
‘À’ would mean ‘attention to the ladder’ (as an object) rather than ‘while on the ladder’. ‘Sur’ is the correct preposition here.
Fais attention sur l'échelle!.
The exclamation mark is fine, but many learners mistakenly add a period after the exclamation, which is redundant.
↔Alternatives
Sois prudent(e) sur l'échelle.
Be prudent on the ladder.
Fais gaffe en montant l'échelle.
Watch out while climbing the ladder.
Attention en haut de l'échelle.
Be careful at the top of the ladder.
Cultural Tip
In French‑speaking workplaces safety is taken seriously; it’s common to hear short, direct warnings like this. The phrase uses the informal ‘tu’ form, so reserve it for people you know well. In a formal setting you’d say ‘Veuillez faire attention en montant l’échelle.’