French Phrase
Tu dois payer la caution avant d'emménager.
Meaning
You must pay the security deposit before you move in. The phrase stresses the order of actions: the deposit is a prerequisite for taking possession of the new place.
When to use
Use this sentence when discussing rental agreements, signing a lease, or reminding a roommate or tenant about the steps required before moving into a new apartment or house.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Tudoispayerlacautionavantd'emménager.
Subject pronoun (Tu)
Informal second‑person singular used with friends, family, or when the speaker feels familiar with the listener.
Devoir (dois)
Present tense of the modal verb ‘devoir’, expressing obligation or necessity.
Infinitive after devoir (payer)
When devoir is followed by another verb, the second verb stays in the infinitive.
Noun phrase (la caution)
‘Caution’ is a feminine noun meaning a security deposit; it takes the definite article ‘la’.
Avant de + infinitif
The preposition ‘avant’ is followed by ‘de’ + infinitive; the ‘de’ contracts to ‘d’ before a vowel.
Contraction (d'emménager)
Because ‘emménager’ starts with a vowel, ‘de’ becomes ‘d’ and is attached to the verb.
🗨In Conversation
Quand est‑ce que je peux emménager ?
When can I move in?
Tu dois payer la caution avant d'emménager.
You have to pay the security deposit before moving in.
✕Common Mistakes
Tu dois payer la caution avant à emménager.
‘Avant’ is followed by ‘de’, not ‘à’, when introducing an infinitive.
Tu dois cautionner la caution avant d'emménager.
‘Cautionner’ means ‘to guarantee’ or ‘to endorse’, not ‘to pay a deposit’. Use ‘caution’ as a noun.
Tu dois payer la caution avant de emménager.
The contraction is required because ‘emménager’ starts with a vowel; writing ‘de emménager’ is incorrect.
↔Alternatives
Il faut régler la caution avant d'emménager.
You need to settle the deposit before moving in.
Vous devez verser la caution avant d'emménager.
You must pay the deposit before moving in.
Payer la caution est obligatoire avant d'emménager.
Paying the deposit is mandatory before moving in.
Cultural Tip
In France, a ‘caution’ (security deposit) is usually equal to one month’s rent and is paid when the lease is signed. The informal ‘tu’ is fine with a roommate or a landlord you know well, but in a formal rental context you would typically use ‘vous’ to show respect.