En 15 segundos
- To lose contact with someone over a long period.
- To forget a primary goal or a central idea.
- Often used reflexively to mean 'to drift apart'.
- A sophisticated way to say 'out of touch'.
Significado
It means to stop seeing someone or to lose contact with them over time. It can also mean forgetting an important goal or detail while focusing on something else.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6Talking about an old high school friend
On était inséparables, mais on s'est perdus de vue après le bac.
We were inseparable, but we lost touch after graduation.
A business meeting getting off track
Attention à ne pas perdre de vue notre objectif principal.
Careful not to lose sight of our main objective.
Texting a friend about a mutual acquaintance
Have you heard from Marc? I've lost touch with him a bit.
Contexto cultural
In French professional culture, 'perdre de vue' is a polite way for a superior to correct a subordinate's focus without being aggressive. The phrase is used identically in Quebec, though in very informal speech, 'perdre la trace' is also common. Belgian French speakers use 'perdre de vue' frequently in administrative contexts to refer to missing documents or files. In countries like Senegal or Ivory Coast, 'perdre de vue' can sometimes imply a more spiritual or destiny-based drifting apart.
Use it in the Passé Composé
90% of the time, when talking about people, you will use 'On s'est perdus de vue.' Master this specific conjugation first.
The 'De' is Mandatory
Without 'de', the phrase is grammatically incomplete or means something else entirely. Always keep 'perdre DE vue'.
En 15 segundos
- To lose contact with someone over a long period.
- To forget a primary goal or a central idea.
- Often used reflexively to mean 'to drift apart'.
- A sophisticated way to say 'out of touch'.
What It Means
Imagine you are watching a boat sail away. Eventually, it disappears over the horizon. That is exactly what perdre de vue feels like. It is about the slow fade of a relationship or a goal. You didn't necessarily have a fight. You just stopped seeing them. Or perhaps you got so busy that you forgot your original plan. It is the linguistic version of 'out of sight, out of mind.'
How To Use It
You use it just like a regular verb. You can say j'ai perdu de vue mon ami (I lost touch with my friend). It works for people, but also for abstract things. If you are in a long meeting, you might perdre de vue l'objectif (lose sight of the objective). It is very flexible. Just remember to use the preposition de after the verb. It is much more poetic than just saying you 'forgot' something.
When To Use It
Use it when reminiscing about old school friends. It is perfect for those 'whatever happened to...' moments. Use it in the office when a project is getting too complicated. It helps bring people back to the main point. It is great for heartfelt conversations about life changes. It sounds sophisticated but remains very accessible. You will sound like a true local using this at a cafe.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it if you just saw someone yesterday. It implies a significant gap in time. Don't use it for physical objects like your keys. If you lose your keys, use perdre. If you use perdre de vue for keys, people will think your keys walked away. Also, avoid it in very aggressive confrontations. It is too soft and reflective for a heated argument. It is a phrase for thinkers, not Shouters.
Cultural Background
French culture places a high value on long-term loyalty and history. Losing touch with someone is often seen with a touch of 'nostalgie'. The phrase appeared in the 17th century. It originally had a very maritime feel. Sailors would literally lose sight of the coast. Today, it reflects the modern struggle of staying connected in a busy world. It captures that bittersweet feeling of life moving on.
Common Variations
Ne pas perdre de vue: This is the positive version. It means 'keep in mind.'Se perdre de vue: This is the reflexive form. Use this when two people both stop talking to each other. It is the most common way to describe old classmates.On s'est perdus de vueis the classic 'we drifted apart.' It is less 'blamey' than saying one person stopped calling.
Notas de uso
This phrase is incredibly versatile. While it literally translates to losing sight of something, its power lies in describing the human experience of drifting apart or losing focus. It requires the preposition 'de' and is most commonly used in the passé composé.
Use it in the Passé Composé
90% of the time, when talking about people, you will use 'On s'est perdus de vue.' Master this specific conjugation first.
The 'De' is Mandatory
Without 'de', the phrase is grammatically incomplete or means something else entirely. Always keep 'perdre DE vue'.
A Polite Excuse
If you see someone you haven't talked to in years, saying 'On s'est perdus de vue' is a great way to avoid the awkwardness of why you didn't call.
Ejemplos
6On était inséparables, mais on s'est perdus de vue après le bac.
We were inseparable, but we lost touch after graduation.
The reflexive 's'est perdus' implies the drifting was mutual.
Attention à ne pas perdre de vue notre objectif principal.
Careful not to lose sight of our main objective.
Used here to refocus a professional group.
Have you heard from Marc? I've lost touch with him a bit.
A casual way to ask for updates on someone.
J'ai perdu mon verre de vue pendant deux minutes et il a disparu !
I lost sight of my glass for two minutes and it vanished!
A playful, slightly non-standard use of the idiom.
Il ne faut jamais perdre de vue les besoins des plus démunis.
We must never lose sight of the needs of the most vulnerable.
High-level register for moral or political contexts.
On ne devrait pas se perdre de vue comme ça, on est cousins quand même !
We shouldn't lose touch like that, we're cousins after all!
Used to express a desire to stay connected.
Ponte a prueba
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'se perdre de vue'.
Après l'université, mes amis et moi, nous ________.
The reflexive form requires 'être' and agreement with the plural subject.
Which sentence uses the phrase to mean 'forgetting a goal'?
Choisissez la bonne option :
This sentence uses the figurative sense of maintaining mental focus.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
A: Tu vois encore ton ancien colocataire ? B: Non, malheureusement ________.
'On s'est perdus de vue' is the most natural way to say 'we lost touch'.
Match the sentence to the context.
1. 'Le radar l'a perdu de vue.' 2. 'Ne perdons pas de vue nos valeurs.' 3. 'On s'est perdus de vue.'
1 is physical (radar), 2 is moral/cognitive (values), 3 is social (friends).
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosAprès l'université, mes amis et moi, nous ________.
The reflexive form requires 'être' and agreement with the plural subject.
Choisissez la bonne option :
This sentence uses the figurative sense of maintaining mental focus.
A: Tu vois encore ton ancien colocataire ? B: Non, malheureusement ________.
'On s'est perdus de vue' is the most natural way to say 'we lost touch'.
1. 'Le radar l'a perdu de vue.' 2. 'Ne perdons pas de vue nos valeurs.' 3. 'On s'est perdus de vue.'
1 is physical (radar), 2 is moral/cognitive (values), 3 is social (friends).
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasOnly if you literally saw it disappear (like a balloon flying away). If you just can't find your keys, use 'J'ai perdu mes clés'.
No, it's usually neutral. It's just a statement of fact about time passing.
'Perdre le contact' is more modern and technical. 'Perdre de vue' is more idiomatic and common in literature and daily speech.
'Je l'ai perdu de vue dans la foule.' This is the literal usage.
Only if it was a 'fading out' breakup. If it was a clean break, use 'on a rompu'.
It is 'perdus' (plural) because 'on' represents 'we' and the verb is reflexive with 'être'.
No, use 'Je me suis égaré' or 'J'ai perdu mon chemin'.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
Not exactly. It means to 'fail to consider' or 'forget to prioritize'.
No, use 'Je ne retrouve plus le site'.
Frases relacionadas
perdre le fil
similarTo lose one's train of thought.
couper les ponts
contrastTo deliberately stop all contact.
reprendre contact
contrastTo get back in touch.
garder à l'esprit
contrastTo keep in mind.
s'égarer
similarTo get lost or wander off.
