French Phrase
Bien sûr, mets-le sur la balance.
Meaning
This phrase is a common and polite way to instruct someone to place an item on a weighing scale. "Bien sûr" means "of course" or "certainly," adding a friendly tone. "Mets-le" is the imperative form of "mettre" (to put) with the direct object pronoun "le" (it). "Sur la balance" means "on the scale."
When to use
You would typically use this phrase in a shop, market, or any situation where an item needs to be weighed, such as buying produce, meat, or other goods sold by weight. It's a direct but polite instruction.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Bien sûr,mets-lesurlabalance.
Bien sûr
This is a common idiomatic expression meaning 'of course' or 'certainly.' It adds a polite and affirmative tone to a statement or instruction.
Mets (Mettre)
This is the imperative form of the verb 'mettre' (to put/place) for the informal 'tu' pronoun. It is used to give a direct command or instruction to someone you address informally.
-le (Direct Object Pronoun)
'Le' is a direct object pronoun meaning 'it' (masculine singular). In an affirmative imperative command, it is attached to the verb with a hyphen, following the verb.
Sur la balance
'Sur' means 'on' or 'upon.' 'La balance' is a feminine noun meaning 'the scale' or 'the balance,' commonly used for weighing instruments.
🗨In Conversation
Je voudrais ces pommes, s'il vous plaît.
I would like these apples, please.
Bien sûr, mets-le sur la balance.
Of course, put it on the scale.
✕Common Mistakes
Bien sûr, mettez sur la balance.
The command is directed at 'tu' (informal singular), so 'mets' is correct, not 'mettez' (formal singular/plural).
Bien sûr, mets sur la balance.
The direct object pronoun 'le' (it) is missing, making the sentence grammatically incomplete.
Bien sûr, mets-le sur le balance.
'Balance' is a feminine noun, so it requires the feminine definite article 'la'.
↔Alternatives
Bien sûr, pose-le sur la balance.
Of course, place it on the scale.
Oui, mettez-le ici.
Yes, put it here.
Bien sûr, je le pèse.
Of course, I'll weigh it.
Cultural Tip
In French-speaking countries, especially in markets or smaller shops, it's common for vendors to weigh items for customers. This phrase is a polite way for a customer to ask or for a vendor to instruct. Politeness (using "s'il vous plaît" or "s'il te plaît" if not already implied by "bien sûr") is highly valued in French interactions.