Tu as l’air de chercher l’original, mais la copie est déjà dans l’enveloppe.

You seem to be looking for the original, but the copy is already in the envelope.

Breakdown of Tu as l’air de chercher l’original, mais la copie est déjà dans l’enveloppe.

• être: to be
• tu: you
• dans: in
• déjà: already

Questions & Answers about Tu as l’air de chercher l’original, mais la copie est déjà dans l’enveloppe.

What does tu as l’air de mean in this sentence?

It means you seem to or you look like you are.

So Tu as l’air de chercher l’original means You seem to be looking for the original.

This is a very common French expression:

• avoir l’air de + infinitive = to seem to + verb
• avoir l’air + adjective = to look/seem + adjective

Examples:

• Tu as l’air fatigué. = You look tired.
• Il a l’air de comprendre. = He seems to understand.

Why does French say tu as l’air and not something with être?

Because avoir l’air is a fixed French expression.

Literally, air can mean something like appearance or look, so avoir l’air is closer to to have the appearance of. That is why French uses avoir here, not être.

So even though English says you seem, French naturally says you have the look/appearance of:

• Tu as l’air content. = You seem happy.
• Elle a l’air de mentir. = She seems to be lying.

It is best to learn avoir l’air as one chunk.

Why is there a de before ?