vous êtes assis??
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John I.Kwiziq community member
vous êtes assis??
Hi - the example "Le canapé dans lequel / où vous êtes assis m'a coûté une fortune", the translation has me a bit confused (where you're sitting = vous êtes assis). My mind wants to make "where you're sitting" the present tense - ie: vous (vous) asseyez. However if the passé composé is correct, my brain wants to either write vous vous êtes assis, or vous avez assis?? Thanks in advance..
This question relates to:French lesson "Dans lequel/laquelle : alternative to où with places (French Relative Pronouns)"
Asked 8 years ago
Bonjour John,
Your brain is in the right place, but here the trick is the nuance between "to sit (to be sat)" and "to be (in the process of) sitting", which is more strongly marked in French.
If you want to say you're sitting DOWN, you will use the verb "s'asseoir" in Le Présent: "où vous vous asseyez".
However, when you want to say you're sat (or sitting, hence confusion), then you will use Le Présent of "être assis(e)" (to be sat): "vous êtes assis".
I hope that's helpful!
À bientôt !
Your brain is in the right place, but here the trick is the nuance between "to sit (to be sat)" and "to be (in the process of) sitting", which is more strongly marked in French.
If you want to say you're sitting DOWN, you will use the verb "s'asseoir" in Le Présent: "où vous vous asseyez".
However, when you want to say you're sat (or sitting, hence confusion), then you will use Le Présent of "être assis(e)" (to be sat): "vous êtes assis".
I hope that's helpful!
À bientôt !
helen w.Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor
So the difference is... you're already been seated -- so you're "sitting": etre assis.
If you're in the process of sitting, you'd use the reflexive verbs: s'asseoir/s'assoir ?
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