French Phrase
Montre pas les trucs chers.
Meaning
Literally, ‘Don’t show the expensive stuff.’ The speaker is asking someone not to display or point out items that are costly, often to avoid drawing attention or causing envy.
When to use
Use this phrase while shopping with a friend, when you’re trying to keep a low profile, or when you want to protect a budget by not highlighting pricey items. It’s informal, so it fits casual conversations among peers.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Montrepaslestrucschers.
Imperative (Montre)
‘Montre’ is the second‑person singular imperative of the verb *montrer* (to show). The ‘s’ of the present‑tense ‘tu’ form is dropped in the affirmative imperative.
Negation (pas)
In a simple negative command, *pas* follows the verb: *Montre pas…* (Do not show…).
Definite article (les)
‘les’ is the plural definite article, used here because *trucs* is plural.
Colloquial noun (trucs)
‘trucs’ is an informal word for ‘things, stuff’. In formal speech you would use *objets* or *choses*.
Adjective after noun (chers)
With most adjectives that describe a quality, French places the adjective after the noun; *chers* agrees in gender and number with *trucs* (masc. plural).
🗨In Conversation
Montre pas les trucs chers.
Don’t show the expensive stuff.
D’accord, je ne les montre pas.
Okay, I won’t show them.
✕Common Mistakes
Montrer pas les trucs chers.
The infinitive *montrer* cannot be used for a command; you need the imperative *Montre*.
Pas montre les trucs chers.
In a negative command the *pas* must follow the verb, not precede it.
Montre pas les trucs cher.
The adjective must agree with the plural noun *trucs*; use *chers*.
↔Alternatives
Ne montre pas les objets coûteux.
Don’t show the costly objects.
Ne montre pas les choses chères.
Don’t show the dear things.
Ne montre pas les articles onéreux.
Don’t show the pricey items.
Cultural Tip
‘Trucs’ is very informal; native speakers often reserve it for casual speech among friends. In a shop or with a salesperson you’d likely hear *objets* or *articles*. Also, French speakers tend to avoid direct commands in polite contexts, preferring *Veuillez ne pas…* or *Ne montrez pas…* when speaking to strangers.