French Phrase
Dis‑nous à l'avance si tu as des restrictions alimentaires.
Meaning
The sentence asks someone to inform the speaker beforehand about any dietary restrictions they may have. It is a polite, yet informal, request often used when planning meals, events, or travel arrangements.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are organizing a dinner, a conference lunch, a wedding reception, or any situation where food will be served and you need to accommodate guests' dietary needs. It works well in informal contexts with friends, classmates, or colleagues you address with "tu".
✦Grammar Breakdown
Dis-nousàl'avancesituasdesrestrictionsalimentaires
Imperative with object pronoun
In the affirmative imperative, object pronouns are attached to the verb with a hyphen and placed after the verb (e.g., "Dis‑nous").
Hyphenation
When a pronoun follows an imperative verb, a hyphen is required before the pronoun.
"à l'avance"
"À l'avance" is an adverbial phrase meaning "in advance"; it normally follows the verb phrase.
Conditional clause with "si"
"Si" introduces a condition ("if"). The verb after "si" stays in the present indicative.
Partitive article "des"
"Des" is the plural partitive article used before an indefinite plural noun ("restrictions").
Noun phrase agreement
"Restrictions alimentaires" – both nouns are plural and agree in number.
🗨In Conversation
Dis‑nous à l'avance si tu as des restrictions alimentaires.
Tell us in advance if you have any dietary restrictions.
D'accord, je suis végétarien et je ne mange pas de produits laitiers.
Okay, I'm vegetarian and I don't eat dairy products.
✕Common Mistakes
Dis nous à l'avance si tu as des restrictions alimentaires.
Do not separate the verb and pronoun; they must be hyphenated in the affirmative imperative.
Dis‑nous à l'avance si vous avez des restrictions alimentaires.
If you are speaking formally, replace "tu" with "vous" and adjust the verb accordingly.
À l'avance, dis‑nous si tu as des restrictions alimentaires.
Placing "à l'avance" after the verb phrase is correct; moving it before the verb sounds unnatural.
↔Alternatives
Fais‑nous savoir à l'avance si tu as des restrictions alimentaires.
Let us know in advance if you have any dietary restrictions.
Préviens‑nous à l'avance de tes éventuelles restrictions alimentaires.
Notify us in advance of any possible dietary restrictions.
Informe‑nous à l'avance de tes besoins alimentaires.
Inform us in advance of your food needs.
Cultural Tip
In French culture, it is considered courteous to inform the host about dietary restrictions as early as possible. French hosts often plan menus around guests' needs, and saying "à l'avance" shows respect for their effort. When speaking to someone you don't know well, use the formal "vous" (e.g., "Dites‑nous à l'avance…").