French Phrase
Mets-toi sur le côté pour une fouille au corps, s'il te plaît.
Meaning
This phrase is a direct instruction, typically given by an authority figure like a police officer or security personnel. It means "Step to the side for a body search, please." It's a command to move to a specific location to allow for a physical inspection of a person's body or clothing.
When to use
This phrase is used in formal and often serious contexts, such as during a police stop, at airport security, or at the entrance to a secure event where physical searches are conducted. It's a command, so it's not used in casual conversation.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Mets-toisur le côtépourune fouille au corpss'il te plaît
Mets-toi (Se mettre)
"Se mettre" is a reflexive verb meaning "to put oneself" or "to get/step". "Mets-toi" is the informal singular imperative form. It's used to give a direct command to one person you address with "tu".
Sur le côté
This prepositional phrase means "to the side" or "on the side". "Côté" is masculine, hence "le côté".
Pour une fouille au corps
"Pour" means "for". "Une fouille" is a feminine noun meaning "a search" or "an inspection". "Au corps" specifies it's a "body search".
S'il te plaît
This is the informal way to say "please" (literally "if it pleases you"). It matches the informal "tu" form used in "Mets-toi". For a formal context or multiple people, it would be "s'il vous plaît".
🗨In Conversation
Monsieur, mets-toi sur le côté pour une fouille au corps, s'il te plaît.
Sir, step to the side for a body search, please.
D'accord, pas de problème.
Okay, no problem.
✕Common Mistakes
Tu mets sur le côté pour une fouille au corps, s'il te plaît.
"Se mettre" is a reflexive verb meaning "to put oneself" or "to get/step". The imperative for "tu" is "Mets-toi".
Mets-toi sur le côté pour un fouille au corps, s'il te plaît.
"Fouille" is a feminine noun, so it requires the feminine indefinite article "une".
Mets-toi sur le côté pour une fouille au corps, s'il vous plaît.
The command "Mets-toi" uses the informal "tu" form, so the polite ending should match with "s'il te plaît". Using "s'il vous plaît" would be inconsistent unless addressing multiple people or a single person formally, in which case the command would be "Mettez-vous".
↔Alternatives
Passez sur le côté, s'il vous plaît.
Step to the side, please.
Veuillez vous écarter pour une vérification.
Please step aside for a check.
Écartez-vous, s'il te plaît.
Step aside, please.
Cultural Tip
In French-speaking cultures, direct commands from authority figures are common, but politeness markers like "s'il te plaît" or "s'il vous plaît" are still important, even in serious situations. The choice between "tu" and "vous" is crucial; "tu" is used here because "Mets-toi" is the informal imperative. Using "vous" would require "Mettez-vous sur le côté, s'il vous plaît." This phrase implies a situation where compliance is expected.