Learn French: Tu devrais faire attention, c'est impoli. - You should pay attention, it is impolite.

Tu devrais faire attention, c'est impoli.

You should pay attention, it is impolite.

Breakdown of Tu devrais faire attention, c'est impoli.

you (informal singular)

to pay attention, to be careful

Questions & Answers about Tu devrais faire attention, c'est impoli.

Why do we say tu devrais here instead of tu dois?

Devrais is the conditional form of the verb devoir (to have to / must). While tu dois means you must do something, using the conditional tu devrais softens it to you should. It is the most natural way to give advice in French!

Why use faire (to do/make) with attention instead of a word for pay?

In English, we pay attention, but in French, the set expression is always faire attention (literally to make attention). Depending on the context, this can also translate as to be careful.

Why use c'est impoli instead of il est impoli?

We use c'est because we are commenting on a general situation or behavior (the act of not paying attention), rather than describing a specific person. When describing a general idea or action, French uses c'est followed by a masculine singular adjective.

Are the endings for je and tu the same in the conditional?

Yes! In the conditional tense, both je and tu share the exact same -ais ending. So you will write both je devrais (I should) and tu devrais (you should).