si j'étais

if I were

→ si
phrase Common #2,650
if I were Often used to introduce hypothetical advice, as in “if I were you.”
FR: Si j'étais à ta place, je lui parlerais.
EN: If I were in your place, I would talk to him.

Il m'a demandé si j'étais pédé.

He asked me if I was gay.

— Parle avec elle (2002)

Si j'étais vous, monsieur, je me tiendrais tranquille.

If I were you, sir, I’d keep quiet.

— M le maudit (1931)

Si j'étais à ta place, je l'aiderais.

If I were you, I would help him.

Il m'a demandé si j'étais satisfaite.

He asked me if I was satisfied.

Je te le demanderais si j'étais marié ?

Would I ask you that if I were married?

Et si j'étais homo, ce serait un crime ça ?

And if I were gay, would that be a crime?

Si j'étais plus jeune, j'aurais vendu mes organes.

If I were younger, I would have sold my organs.

— Burning (2018)

Je serais prudent avec ça, si j'étais vous.

I would be careful with that if I were you.

Si j'étais une fleur, je serais une rose.

If I were a flower, I would be a rose.

J'ai demandé à l'ordinateur si j'étais mieux.

I asked the computer if I was better.

— La Mouche (1986)

Il m'a demandé si j'étais contente.

He asked me if I was happy.

Si j'étais plus jeune, je partirais avec toi sur cette moto.

If I were younger, I would go with you on this motorcycle.

— Carnets de voyage (2004)

Juste après m'avoir demandé si j'étais associé à des criminels.

Right after asking me if I was associated with criminals.

— American Gangster (2007)

Si j'étais libre, j'accepterais votre invitation.

If I were free, I would accept your invitation.

Si j'étais riche, j'irais à l'étranger.

If I were rich, I would go abroad.

Si j'étais à ta place, ç'aurait fait du joli !

If I were you, that would have been a pretty sight!

— L'ironie du sort, ou profitez de votre bain ! (1976)

Si j'étais lui, je vendrais plutôt les livres pour acheter de l'or.

If I were him, I would sell the books instead to buy gold.

— Mademoiselle (2016)

Tu m'as demandé si j'étais une figure religieuse.

You asked me if I was a religious figure.

— The Man from Earth (2007)

Je ne le ferais pas si j'étais vous.

I wouldn’t do it if I were you.

Et si j'étais l'Élu ?

What if I were the Chosen One?

— Dune : Deuxième partie (2024)

T'as osé me demander si j'étais un samouraï.

You actually dared to ask me if I was a samurai.

— Les Sept Samouraïs (1954)

Tom, si j'étais au courant, je ne pourrais pas vous le dire.

Tom, if I knew, I wouldn't be able to tell you.

— Harry Potter et le Prince de sang-mêlé (2009)

Et si j'étais dans le coma, et que le docteur dise, "Encore un jour" ?

What if I were in a coma, and the doctor said, “One more day”?

— Cours, Lola, cours (1998)

Si j'étais vivant, c'était qu'il le voulait.

If I was alive, it was because he wanted me to be.

— Apocalypse Now (1979)

Que ferais-tu si j'étais enceinte ?

What would you do if I were pregnant?

— The Little Thief (1988)

Je serais désolé si j'étais impoli avec toi.

I would be sorry if I were rude to you.

Si j'étais à ta place, je lui prêterais main forte.

If I were you, I would lend him a hand.

Si j'étais Dieu, on vivrait tous éternellement.

If I were God, we would all live forever.

Si j'étais enceinte ?

What if I were pregnant?

— Irreversible (2002)

Il m'a demandé si j'étais occupée.

He asked me if I was busy.

Et si j'étais mort malgré tout ?

What if I were dead after all?

— Cours, Lola, cours (1998)

Si j'étais riche, j'aiderais les pauvres.

If I were rich, I would help the poor.

Si j'étais humain.

If I were human.

— Star Trek VI : Terre inconnue (1991)

Si j'étais ta femme, j'aurais mis du poison dans ton café.

If I were your wife, I would have put poison in your coffee.

Elle me demandait si j'étais capable d'écrire.

She was asking me if I was able to write.

Et si j'étais morte ?

What if I were dead?

— Les Nuits de Cabiria (1957)

Tu lui as demandé si j'étais mariée.

You asked him/her if I was married.

— F1® Le Film (2025)

Si j'étais à sa place je trouverais un moyen de le récupérer immédiatement.

If I were in their shoes, I’d find a way to get it back immediately.

— Insaisissables 3 (2025)

Si j'étais vous, j'achèterais celui-là.

If I were you, I’d buy that one.

Je le prendrais si j'étais vous.

I’d take it if I were you.

Il m'a demandé si j'étais satisfait.

He asked me if I was satisfied.

Si j'étais à ta place, je ferais la même chose.

If I were you, I would do the same thing.

Si j'étais leur vrai enfant, ils ne seraient pas payés.

If I were their real child, they wouldn't be paid.

— Souvenirs de Marnie (2014)

Si j'étais pas avec toi, on t'aurait mis dans un orphelinat ?

If I weren't with you, would they have put you in an orphanage?

— La Légende du pianiste sur l'océan (1998)

J'étudierais plus assidument si j'étais vous.

I would study harder if I were you.

Si j'étais chasseur de fesses, je te jetterais pas à la meute.

If I were an ass hunter, I wouldn’t throw you to the pack.

— Reservoir Dogs (1992)

Si j'étais un bon père, je ne serais pas ici.

If I were a good father, I wouldn’t be here.

— Control (2007)

Si j'étais empereur, tu serais la reine du château.

If I were emperor, you would be the queen of the castle.

— Adieu ma concubine (1993)

Si j'étais pédé, y a longtemps que tu y serais passé.

If I were a fag, you’d have been fucked a long time ago.

— Ménage (1986)

Si j'étais plus jeune et plus riche, tu m'aurais épousé.

If I were younger and richer, you would have married me.

Si j'étais à votre place, je ne ferais pas ça.

If I were you, I wouldn't do that.

Si j'étais pas seul à te rendre heureuse, je serais malheureux.

If I weren’t the only one who made you happy, I’d be miserable.

— Us and Them (2018)

Mais si j'étais pas calme, je vous tuerais !

But if I weren’t calm, I’d kill you!

— Shaolin Soccer (2001)

Et si j'étais à votre place, j'aurais la même attitude.

If I were in your position, I’d have the same attitude.

— Star Trek: The Next Generation - All Good Things... (2014)

Si j'étais en bonne santé, je serais heureux.

If I were healthy, I would be happy.

Si j'étais Mr Purple ?

What if I were Mr. Purple?

— Reservoir Dogs (1992)

Si j'étais à votre place, je lui prêterais main forte.

If I were you, I would lend him a hand.

Si j'étais à votre place, je ne ferais pas ainsi.

If I were you, I wouldn't do it that way.

Tu m'as demandé si j'étais marié.

You asked me if I was married.

— Arrête-moi si tu peux (2002)

Je ne toucherais pas à ça si j'étais vous.

I wouldn’t touch that if I were you.

Si j'étais vous, j'achèterais celui-ci.

If I were you, I would buy this one.

Et si j'étais un Indien d'Amérique ?

What if I were a Native American?

Si j'étais lui, je prendrais le large le plus possible.

If I were him, I’d get as far away as possible.

— Reservoir Dogs (1992)

Je serais prudente avec ça, si j'étais vous.

I’d be cautious about that if I were you.