French Phrase
Prenons un caddie.
Meaning
This phrase literally translates to "Let's take a shopping cart." It's a common and practical expression used when preparing to shop, indicating the need for a cart to carry groceries or other items. It implies a collective action, suggesting that the speaker and listener(s) should get a cart together.
When to use
You would typically use this phrase when entering a supermarket or a large store with someone else, suggesting that you both should get a shopping cart before starting to browse or pick up items. It's a polite and direct way to initiate this action, often said at the entrance of the store.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Prenonsuncaddie
Prenons (Prendre)
'Prenons' is the first-person plural imperative form of the verb 'prendre' (to take). It's used to make a suggestion or give a command to a group including the speaker, meaning 'Let's take.'
Un
'Un' is the masculine indefinite article, equivalent to 'a' or 'an' in English. It's used here because 'caddie' is a masculine noun in French.
Caddie
'Caddie' is a masculine noun referring to a shopping cart or trolley. It's a very common term in French, often used interchangeably with 'chariot,' especially in everyday supermarket contexts.
🗨In Conversation
On est prêts pour les courses?
Are we ready for shopping?
Oui, mais d'abord, prenons un caddie.
Yes, but first, let's take a shopping cart.
✕Common Mistakes
Nous prenons un caddie.
While grammatically correct as a statement, 'Prenons un caddie' uses the imperative form to suggest a collective action ('Let's take'). 'Nous prenons' simply states 'We are taking' or 'We take'.
Prendre un caddie.
The infinitive 'prendre' cannot be used as a direct command or suggestion for 'let's.' You need the imperative form 'Prenons' for this purpose.
Prenons une caddie.
'Caddie' is a masculine noun in French, so it requires the masculine indefinite article 'un,' not 'une'.
↔Alternatives
Allons chercher un caddie.
Let's go get a shopping cart.
Il nous faut un caddie.
We need a shopping cart.
Prends un chariot.
Take a cart. (Informal, singular)
Cultural Tip
In France, 'caddie' is a very common term for a shopping cart, so much so that it's almost genericized from the brand name Caddie. While 'chariot' is also correct and understood, 'caddie' is often preferred in everyday conversation, especially in supermarkets. It's common for people to grab a cart immediately upon entering a store, even for a few items, due to the size of many French supermarkets and the expectation of carrying multiple items.