si j'étais

if I were

→ si

phrase Common #2,625

if I were Used to give advice by imagining being in someone else’s situation. It is commonly followed by toi or vous and a conditional verb, as in « Si j’étais toi, je le ferais » (If I were you, I would do it).

FR: Je le mettrais dans l'eau, si j'étais toi.

EN: I would put it in the water if I were you.

J'étudierais plus assidument si j'étais vous.

I would study harder if I were you.

Si j'étais Mr Purple ?

What if I were Mr. Purple?

— Reservoir Dogs (1992)

Il m'a demandé si j'étais satisfait.

He asked me if I was satisfied.

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

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

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

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

— Burning (2018)

Je le prendrais si j'étais vous.

I’d take it if I were you.

Et si j'étais un Indien d'Amérique ?

What if I were a Native American?

Si j'étais vous, j'irai vais là-bas.

If I were you, I would go there.

— Les Nouveaux Sauvages (2014)

Il m'a demandé si j'étais heureux.

He asked me if I was happy.

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

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

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

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

Il me dit de courir plus vite, et me demanda si j'étais fatigué.

He tells me to run faster and asked me if I was tired.

Et si j'étais l'Élu ?

What if I were the Chosen One?

— Dune : Deuxième partie (2024)

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

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

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)

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)

Il m'a demandé si j'étais satisfaite.

He asked me if I was satisfied.

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)

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)

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)

Il m'a demandé si j'étais occupée.

He asked me if I was busy.

Si j'étais à ta place, je l'aiderais.

If I were you, I would help him.

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)

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

She was asking me if I was able to write.

Et si j'étais mort malgré tout ?

What if I were dead after all?

— Cours, Lola, cours (1998)

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

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

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 libre, j'accepterais votre invitation.

If I were free, I would accept your invitation.

Je serais désolé si j'étais impoli avec toi.

I would be sorry if I were rude to you.

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 à votre place, je ne ferais pas ça.

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

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

You asked me if I was a religious figure.

— The Man from Earth (2007)

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

If I were rich, I would help the poor.

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 Dieu, on vivrait tous éternellement.

If I were God, we would all live forever.

Il m'a demandé si j'étais pédé.

He asked me if I was gay.

— Parle avec elle (2002)

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

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

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

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

Et si j'étais morte ?

What if I were dead?

— Les Nuits de Cabiria (1957)

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)

Il m'a demandé si j'étais contente.

He asked me if I was happy.

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)

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

I would be careful with that if I were you.

Je ne le ferais pas si j'étais vous.

I wouldn’t do it if I were you.

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

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

Si j'étais toute à vous pour dix minutes, que me donneriez-vous en échange ?

If I were all yours for ten minutes, what would you give me in return?

— Mademoiselle (2016)

Je te le demanderais si j'étais marié ?

Would I ask you that if I were married?

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

If I were healthy, I would be happy.

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

If I were rich, I would go abroad.

Tu lui as demandé si j'étais mariée.

You asked him/her if I was married.

— F1® Le Film (2025)