Learn French: D'abord, lire la notice. - First, read the manual.

D'abord, lire la notice.

First, read the manual.

Breakdown of D'abord, lire la notice.

lire

to read

him, it (masculine direct object pronoun)

d'abord

first, first of all

la notice

the manual (instructions, leaflet)

Questions & Answers about D'abord, lire la notice.

Why is the infinitive lire used here instead of an imperative like lisez?

In French, the infinitive is frequently used for impersonal commands, instructions, or rules. You will see this on packaging, in recipes, or in manuals where the instruction isn't directed at one specific person, but rather to anyone using the product.

Is la notice a false friend? Does it mean a 'notice' or warning sign?

Yes, it is a false friend! In French, la notice usually refers to a user manual, an instruction leaflet (especially for medication or appliances), or a set of guidelines. A warning sign or a written notice in English would translate to un panneau, une affiche, or un avertissement.

Could I use premièrement instead of d'abord in this sentence?

You could, but d'abord (first, or first of all) is much more natural for everyday instructions. Premièrement (firstly) sounds quite formal and is usually reserved for a strict, numbered list of arguments or steps.

Can I put d'abord after the verb instead of at the beginning?

Yes, you could also say Lire d'abord la notice. However, placing d'abord at the very beginning and separating it with a comma strongly emphasizes the sequence: it tells the reader that this is the absolute first thing they must do before anything else.