French Phrase
Dis clairement ce que tu veux.
Meaning
A direct instruction meaning ‘Say clearly what you want.’ It urges the listener to be explicit and unambiguous about their desire or request.
When to use
Use this phrase when someone is being vague or hesitant and you need them to state their wishes in a straightforward way—whether in a casual chat, a negotiation, or a classroom setting.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Disclairementcequetuveux.
Imperative of dire
‘Dis’ is the second‑person singular imperative form of the verb ‘dire’ (to say).
Adverb placement
‘clairement’ (clearly) is placed directly after the verb in the imperative to modify how the action should be performed.
Relative pronoun ‘ce que’
‘ce que’ introduces a subordinate clause meaning ‘what’, linking the verb ‘veux’ to the object of the request.
Present indicative ‘tu veux’
‘tu veux’ is the present tense of ‘vouloir’ (to want) used here to state the content of what should be said.
🗨In Conversation
Je ne comprends pas vraiment ce que tu cherches à dire.
I don’t really understand what you’re trying to say.
Dis clairement ce que tu veux.
Say clearly what you want.
✕Common Mistakes
Dit clairement ce que tu veux.
‘Dit’ is the third‑person singular present form; the imperative for ‘you’ is ‘Dis’.
Dis clair ce que tu veux.
Do not confuse the adverb ‘clairement’ with the adjective ‘clair’; the adverb is required to modify the verb.
Dis clairement ce que tu vouloir.
Avoid using the infinitive ‘vouloir’ after ‘ce que’; you need a conjugated verb.
↔Alternatives
Exprime‑toi clairement.
Express yourself clearly.
Dis ce que tu veux de façon claire.
Say what you want in a clear way.
Sois clair sur ce que tu veux.
Be clear about what you want.
Cultural Tip
French speakers value politeness, so ‘Dis clairement ce que tu veux’ can sound a bit blunt if used with strangers. In formal or professional contexts, soften it with ‘Pourriez‑vous préciser ce que vous voulez ?’ or use a more neutral alternative like ‘Pouvez‑vous être plus précis ?’