French Phrase
Sors le premier.
Meaning
This is an informal command telling someone to be the first person to leave a place. It can also be heard as a playful challenge in a group when it’s time to go out.
When to use
Use it with friends, classmates or teammates in casual settings – for example when a class is ending, a party is winding down, or a group is about to exit a venue. It’s too informal for a business or formal context.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Sorslepremier
Sors (imperative)
‘Sors’ is the second‑person singular imperative of the verb *sortir* (to go out, to leave). In the affirmative imperative, the final ‘s’ of the present tense is kept.
le (definite article)
‘le’ is the masculine singular definite article. In this construction it precedes the adjective *premier* to form a noun phrase meaning ‘the first one’.
premier (ordinal adjective)
‘premier’ means ‘first’. When used after a noun in the imperative, it functions like a noun: *le premier* = ‘the first (person)’.
🗨In Conversation
Sors le premier !
Be the first to leave!
D’accord, je te suis.
Alright, I’ll follow you.
✕Common Mistakes
Sort le premier.
‘Sort’ is the third‑person singular present (il/elle sort). The correct imperative for ‘you’ is ‘sors’.
Sors premier le.
Learners sometimes place the adjective before the article (*premier le*), which is ungrammatical.
Être le premier.
Using *être* (to be) changes the meaning to ‘you are the first’, not a command to leave first.
↔Alternatives
Sois le premier à sortir.
Be the first to go out.
Pars en premier.
Leave first.
Sois le premier à partir.
Be the first to depart.
Cultural Tip
In French the more neutral way to express this idea is *Sois le premier à sortir*, which sounds slightly more formal. *Sors le premier* is typical of spoken, youthful French and can convey a teasing, competitive tone. Remember that the imperative drops the subject pronoun – you never say *Tu sors le premier* in this context.