French Phrase
Cherche‑le dans le dictionnaire.
Meaning
A direct, informal command telling someone to look up a word or expression in the dictionary. It implies the speaker expects the listener to find the definition quickly.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are speaking to a peer, a classmate, or anyone you would address with ‘tu’. It works in classroom settings, study groups, or casual conversation about language learning.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Cherche-ledansledictionnaire.
Imperative (tu) of -er verbs
For regular -er verbs, the tu‑imperative drops the final -s (e.g., cherche).
Pronoun attachment
Direct object pronouns (le, la, les) are attached to the imperative with a hyphen; no extra -s is added.
Preposition ‘dans’ + article
‘dans le’ means ‘in the’; the article agrees with the noun that follows.
🗨In Conversation
Je ne comprends pas ce mot.
I don’t understand this word.
Cherche‑le dans le dictionnaire.
Look it up in the dictionary.
✕Common Mistakes
Cherche le dans le dictionnaire.
The object pronoun must be attached with a hyphen; ‘Cherche‑le’ is correct.
Cherchez le dans le dictionnaire.
‘Cherchez‑le’ is formal; using it in an informal ‘tu’ context sounds too stiff.
Cherche‑les dans le dictionnaire.
‘Les’ would refer to a plural object; here the object is singular, so ‘le’ is required.
↔Alternatives
Regarde‑le dans le dictionnaire.
Check it in the dictionary.
Consulte le dictionnaire.
Consult the dictionary.
Vérifie‑le dans le dictionnaire.
Verify it in the dictionary.
Cultural Tip
In French, ‘chercher’ is the go‑to verb for ‘to look up’ a word, whether you’re using a paper dictionary or an app. The informal imperative (cherche‑le) is perfect for classmates, but in a formal setting you would say ‘Cherchez‑le…’ or use the more neutral ‘Veuillez consulter le dictionnaire.’