French Phrase
Regarde dans ton dossier spam.
Meaning
A direct, informal command telling someone to check the spam folder of their e‑mail account. It implies that the message the speaker is looking for may have been filtered as unwanted mail.
When to use
Use this phrase when a friend or colleague can’t find an e‑mail you sent, or when you suspect an important message has been caught by the spam filter. It’s appropriate in casual conversation; in a formal setting you would switch to the polite form.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Regardedanstondossierspam
Regarde (imperative)
‘Regarde’ is the second‑person singular informal imperative of the verb ‘regarder’ (to look). It is used for giving a direct command to a friend or peer.
dans (preposition)
‘dans’ means ‘in/inside’. It introduces the location where the action should take place.
ton (possessive adjective)
‘ton’ is the masculine singular possessive adjective meaning ‘your’. It agrees with the masculine noun ‘dossier’.
dossier (masc. noun)
‘dossier’ is a masculine noun meaning ‘folder’ or ‘file’. In the context of email it refers to the folder where messages are stored.
spam (borrowed noun)
‘spam’ is a borrowed English word used in French to denote unsolicited e‑mail. It behaves as a masculine noun and is invariable.
🗨In Conversation
Je n’ai pas reçu ton invitation.
I didn’t get your invitation.
Regarde dans ton dossier spam.
Check your spam folder.
✕Common Mistakes
Regarde dans votre dossier spam.
‘Votre’ is the formal possessive; using it with the informal imperative ‘Regarde’ creates a register clash.
Regarde dans le dossier spam.
The article ‘le’ is unnecessary because ‘dossier spam’ already specifies the folder.
Regardez dans ton dossier spam.
‘Regardez’ is the formal/plural imperative; pairing it with ‘ton’ (informal) is inconsistent.
↔Alternatives
Vérifie ton dossier spam.
Verify your spam folder.
Consulte ton dossier de courrier indésirable.
Consult your junk‑mail folder.
Regarde dans les courriels indésirables.
Look in the junk e‑mails.
Cultural Tip
In French‑speaking countries the spam folder is often called ‘courrier indésirable’ or simply ‘spam’. When speaking to strangers, seniors, or in a professional email, switch to the polite imperative: ‘Veuillez vérifier votre dossier spam.’ The informal ‘Regarde…’ is reserved for friends, family, or peers.