French Phrase
Laisse d'abord descendre les passagers.
Meaning
The speaker is telling someone (informally) to let the passengers get off first, before doing anything else. It’s a typical command you might hear on a bus, train, or ferry.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are in charge of a vehicle or a platform and need to prioritize letting passengers disembark before boarding new ones or before moving the vehicle.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Laissed'aborddescendrelespassagers
Laisse (imperative)
Use the 2nd person singular imperative of 'laisser' (to let/allow) for informal commands.
d'abord (adverb)
Placed after the verb in the affirmative imperative to mean 'first' or 'before anything else'.
descendre (infinitive)
The infinitive follows 'laisser' to indicate the action that is being permitted.
les passagers (direct object)
A noun phrase that receives the action of the infinitive; it stays after the infinitive in this construction.
Word order
In the affirmative imperative, adverbs like 'd'abord' come right after the verb, before the infinitive.
🗨In Conversation
Laisse d'abord descendre les passagers.
First, let the passengers get off.
D'accord, je les laisse sortir.
Okay, I’ll let them out.
✕Common Mistakes
Laissez d'abord descendre les passagers.
Use 'Laisse' for informal singular; 'Laissez' is the formal/plural form and changes the tone.
Laisse les passagers d'abord descendre.
Placing 'd'abord' after the infinitive sounds unnatural; it should follow the imperative verb.
Laisse d'abord les laisser descendre.
The object pronoun 'les' should not replace the noun phrase here because the noun phrase is needed for clarity.
↔Alternatives
Fais d'abord sortir les passagers.
First, make the passengers get out.
Permets d'abord aux passagers de descendre.
Allow the passengers to get off first.
Laisse les passagers descendre d'abord.
Let the passengers get off first.
Cultural Tip
In French public transport, the driver often gives short, direct commands to the conductor or assistant. Using the informal imperative (Laisse) is common when the speaker and listener are familiar or when the speaker holds authority, such as a driver speaking to a conductor. Politeness can be added with "s'il vous plaît" after the command if the situation is more formal.