French Phrase
Lis bien le contrat de location avant de signer.
Meaning
The sentence tells someone to read the rental agreement carefully before putting their signature on it. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the terms and conditions of a lease before committing.
When to use
Use this phrase when giving advice to a tenant, a friend moving into a new apartment, or anyone who is about to sign a lease. It is common in informal conversation, but also appropriate in more formal contexts such as a real‑estate office.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Lisbienlecontratdelocationavantdesigner.
Imperative (Lis)
‘Lis’ is the second‑person singular imperative of the verb *lire* (to read). It is used for direct commands.
Adverb placement (bien)
‘Bien’ (well) is placed directly after the verb in the imperative to modify how the action should be performed.
Definite article (le)
‘Le’ specifies a particular contract; French always uses the article before a singular masculine noun.
Noun phrase (contrat de location)
‘Contrat de location’ means ‘rental agreement’; *de* links the two nouns like ‘contract of rental’.
Preposition + infinitive (avant de + signer)
‘Avant de’ introduces an action that must happen first; it is followed by an infinitive verb (signer).
🗨In Conversation
Lis bien le contrat de location avant de signer.
Read the rental agreement carefully before signing.
Oui, je vais vérifier les clauses de résiliation et le montant du dépôt de garantie.
Yes, I’ll check the termination clauses and the amount of the security deposit.
✕Common Mistakes
Lire bien le contrat de location avant de signer.
In the imperative, the verb comes first; ‘Lire bien…’ is not a correct command form.
Lis le contrat de location avant de signer bien.
‘Bien’ must modify the verb *lis*, not the whole clause, so it should stay right after *lis*.
Lis bien le contrat de location avant de signer le.
The article *le* must precede the noun *contrat*, not appear at the end of the sentence.
↔Alternatives
Assure‑toi de bien lire le bail avant de le signer.
Make sure you read the lease thoroughly before signing it.
Prends le temps de lire le contrat de location avant de mettre ta signature.
Take the time to read the rental contract before you sign.
N’oublie pas de vérifier le contrat de location avant de signer.
Don’t forget to check the rental contract before signing.
Cultural Tip
In France, a *contrat de location* (or *bail*) is a legally binding document that outlines the rights and obligations of both landlord and tenant. French law protects tenants heavily, but many clauses (e.g., notice periods, deposit return conditions) can be nuanced. It’s common for French speakers to stress reading the contract line‑by‑line because disputes often arise from misunderstood clauses. If you’re a foreign tenant, consider asking a bilingual friend or a legal advisor to clarify any ambiguous terms.