Breakdown of Fais attention : tu n'as que deux allumettes dans la boîte.
tu
you
avoir
to have
dans
in
deux
two
la boîte
the box
ne ... que
only
faire attention
to be careful
l'allumette
the match
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Questions & Answers about Fais attention : tu n'as que deux allumettes dans la boîte.
What is the grammatical function of fais in Fais attention?
Fais is the second-person singular imperative of the verb faire. Here it means “pay” or “give,” so Fais attention literally means “Pay attention” or “Be careful.” We use fais (tu form) because it’s an informal command to one person; if you wanted to be formal or plural, you’d say Faites attention.
Why is there n’ but no pas in tu n’as que deux allumettes?
In French, the construction ne … que means “only.” It’s a restricted negative, so you don’t add pas. Tu n’as que deux allumettes translates as “you have only two matches,” not “you don’t have two matches.” The ne (here contracted to n’) combines with que to express “only.”
Could I use seulement or juste instead of ne … que?
Yes. You could say Tu as seulement deux allumettes or Tu as juste deux allumettes and keep the same meaning of “you only have two matches.” However, ne … que is a very common, slightly more formal or literary way to express “only.”
Why is there no article before deux allumettes (like des or les)?
When you use a cardinal number directly in front of a noun in French, you drop the indefinite article. So you say deux allumettes (two matchsticks) rather than des allumettes or deux des allumettes. If you wanted to be specific about a subset of matches you already mentioned, you might say deux des allumettes, but here we’re simply stating quantity.
Why is it la boîte and not une boîte?
The use of the definite article la implies that the speaker and listener both know which box is being talked about. If you introduced it for the first time without prior context, you could say une boîte, but here it’s assumed the box is obvious in the situation.
What does allumette mean?
An allumette is a matchstick (the kind you strike to light a fire, candle, etc.). Allumettes is just the plural form, “matches” or “matchsticks.”
What’s the purpose of the colon after Fais attention?
In French, a colon often introduces an explanation, a quote, or additional information. Here, Fais attention : is followed by the warning tu n’as que deux allumettes dans la boîte, so the colon signals “here’s why you need to be careful.”
Why use Fais attention rather than just Attention?
Saying Attention : … on its own works, especially in written warnings (“Attention : sol glissant”). But Fais attention is more conversational and direct—as if you’re personally telling someone, “Be careful, because ….”