French Phrase
Échauffe-toi toujours avant de t'étirer.
Meaning
The sentence advises someone to always do a warm‑up before stretching. It combines a health tip with a gentle command, using the reflexive form of both verbs.
When to use
Use this phrase in a gym, sports class, or any fitness‑related conversation when reminding a friend or a group to prepare their muscles before stretching.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Échauffe-toitoujoursavantdet'étirer
Impératif réflexif
In the affirmative imperative, the reflexive pronoun follows the verb and is attached with a hyphen (e.g., « échauffe‑toi »).
Adverb placement
Adverbs like « toujours » are placed after the verb‑pronoun complex in the imperative.
« avant de » + infinitif
The preposition « avant de » introduces an infinitive verb to express “before doing something.”
Reflexive infinitive
When the infinitive is also reflexive, the pronoun is attached to the infinitive (e.g., « t'étirer »).
🗨In Conversation
Échauffe-toi toujours avant de t'étirer.
Always warm up before you stretch.
Oui, je le fais avant chaque séance d’entraînement.
Yes, I do it before every training session.
✕Common Mistakes
Échauffe toujours avant de t'étirer.
Missing the reflexive pronoun after the verb; the correct imperative is « échauffe‑toi ».
Échauffe-toi toujours avant de s'étirer.
When speaking directly to someone, the infinitive must stay reflexive to the listener (t'étirer), not third‑person (s'étirer).
Échauffe‑toi toujours avant de t'étire.
The infinitive must stay in its infinitive form « t'étirer », not conjugated.
↔Alternatives
Fais toujours un échauffement avant de t'étirer.
Always do a warm‑up before you stretch.
N'oublie pas de t'échauffer avant de t'étirer.
Don’t forget to warm up before you stretch.
Commence toujours par t'échauffer avant de t'étirer.
Always start by warming up before you stretch.
Cultural Tip
In French fitness culture, the reflexive form is common when talking about personal care actions (s'échauffer, s'étirer). Using the imperative with the reflexive pronoun sounds friendly yet authoritative, perfect for a coach or a peer giving advice. Remember that “échauffement” can also be a noun (un échauffement), so you can vary the phrasing for more natural speech.