French Phrase
Mets une personne inconsciente sur le côté.
Meaning
This command tells someone to place an unconscious individual onto their side, typically the recovery position used in first‑aid situations. It emphasizes safety: keeping the airway open and preventing choking.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are giving first‑aid instructions, either to a colleague, a by‑stander, or a trainee. It is appropriate in emergency drills, medical training, or real‑life emergencies where quick, clear direction is needed.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Metsunepersonneinconscientesurlecôté
Imperative of 'mettre'
Use the second‑person singular imperative form 'mets' (without the final -s in spoken French, but written with -s for regular verbs).
Indefinite article 'une'
The feminine indefinite article 'une' agrees with the noun 'personne', which is always feminine in French.
Adjective agreement
'inconsciente' agrees in gender and number with 'personne' (feminine singular).
Prepositional phrase 'sur le côté'
Literally 'on the side', used here to mean 'on their side' (the recovery position).
🗨In Conversation
Mets une personne inconsciente sur le côté.
Place an unconscious person on their side.
D'accord, je le fais tout de suite.
Okay, I’ll do it right away.
✕Common Mistakes
Met une personne inconsciente sur le côté.
The verb 'mettre' in the imperative for 'tu' needs an -s (mets).
Mets une personne inconscient sur le côté.
Because 'personne' is feminine, the adjective must be feminine: 'inconsciente'.
Mets une personne inconsciente sur côté.
Do not add an article before 'côté' here; the correct prepositional phrase is 'sur le côté'.
↔Alternatives
Place la victime en position latérale de sécurité.
Put the victim in the recovery position.
Allonge la personne inconsciente sur le côté.
Lay the unconscious person on their side.
Mets la personne inconsciente en décubitus latéral.
Put the unconscious person in the lateral decubitus.
Cultural Tip
In French‑speaking emergency protocols, the phrase 'position latérale de sécurité' (PLS) is the official term taught in first‑aid courses. While 'sur le côté' is perfectly understood, using the formal term can sound more professional, especially when speaking to medical personnel.