French Phrase
Faisons le tri dans les vieilles affaires.
Meaning
This phrase is used when you want to suggest organizing or decluttering belongings. It specifically refers to the process of separating items to decide what to keep, donate, or discard. 'Le tri' is a very common French term for sorting, often used in the context of cleaning or recycling.
When to use
Use this phrase at home with family or roommates when it is time for spring cleaning. It is perfect for starting a project to tidy up a garage, closet, or attic.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Faisonsle tridansles vieillesaffaires
Faisons (Imperative)
This is the 'nous' form of the verb 'faire' used as a command or suggestion, equivalent to 'let's do' in English.
Vieilles (Adjective)
This is the feminine plural form of 'vieux'. It is one of the few common adjectives that is placed before the noun in French.
🗨In Conversation
Il n'y a plus de place dans le grenier.
There's no more room in the attic.
Tu as raison, faisons le tri dans les vieilles affaires.
You're right, let's sort through the old things.
✕Common Mistakes
Faisons le triage dans les vieilles affaires.
While 'triage' exists, it is usually reserved for medical or industrial contexts; 'le tri' is the standard term for household sorting.
Faisons le tri dans les vieux affaires.
The noun 'affaires' is feminine plural, so the adjective must be 'vieilles' rather than the masculine 'vieux'.
↔Alternatives
On devrait trier nos vieux trucs.
We should sort through our old stuff.
Il faut ranger les vieilles affaires.
We need to tidy up the old things.
Cultural Tip
In France, 'le tri' is a significant part of daily life, particularly regarding 'le tri sélectif' (waste sorting). When decluttering, people often donate to 'ressourceries' or sell items at a 'vide-grenier', a popular local flea market where neighbors sell their unwanted goods.