French Phrase
Reste sur tes gardes en permanence.
Meaning
A direct, informal command telling someone to stay alert and cautious at all times. It combines the idiomatic expression *être sur ses gardes* with the adverbial phrase *en permanence* for emphasis.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to warn a friend, colleague, or a younger person about a potentially risky situation—e.g., walking through a rough neighborhood, dealing with a tricky negotiation, or navigating online scams.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Restesurtesgardesenpermanence
Reste (imperative)
Imperative form of the verb *rester* for the informal 'tu' subject; note that the final -s is dropped for -er verbs.
sur (preposition)
Preposition meaning 'on' or 'upon'; in the idiom *être sur ses gardes* it introduces the state of vigilance.
tes (possessive adjective)
Informal plural possessive adjective matching the plural noun *gardes*; use *vos* in formal contexts.
gardes (plural noun)
Plural of *garde*; in the expression *être sur ses gardes* it functions as a set phrase meaning 'to be on one's guard'.
en permanence (adverbial phrase)
Literally 'in permanence', used as an adverb meaning 'continuously' or 'at all times'.
🗨In Conversation
Reste sur tes gardes en permanence, le quartier devient dangereux après le coucher du soleil.
Stay on your guard at all times; the neighborhood gets dangerous after sunset.
Merci, je ferai très attention et je ne baisserai pas ma garde.
Thanks, I’ll be very careful and I won’t let my guard down.
✕Common Mistakes
Reste sur tes garde en permanence.
The idiom uses the plural *gardes*; singular sounds unnatural.
Reste sur vos gardes en permanence.
Use *vos* for formal or plural audiences; *tes* is informal singular.
Reste sur tes gardes tout le temps.
While not wrong, *tout le temps* is more colloquial; using *en permanence* in casual chat can sound stiff.
↔Alternatives
Sois toujours vigilant.
Be always vigilant.
Ne baisse jamais ta garde.
Never let your guard down.
Reste vigilant en tout temps.
Stay vigilant at all times.
Cultural Tip
The idiom *être sur ses gardes* is common in French to advise caution, whether about personal safety, business deals, or even romantic relationships. In informal speech you’ll hear *tes gardes*, but in a professional or polite context switch to *vos gardes*. The adverb *en permanence* sounds a bit formal; native speakers often replace it with *tout le temps* for a more casual tone.