Tu te rends compte

Expression: Tu te rends compte !

Pronunciation: [tu teu ra(n) ko(n)t]

Meaning: Can you imagine?! Can you believe it?!

Literal translation: You realize! You're aware!

Register: normal

Notes: The French expression se rendre compte means "to realize," as in Je me suis rendu compte que mes parents allaient divorcer - "I realized that my parents were going to get divorced." However, it is also very commonly used as a sort of interjection to express outrage or disbelief:

   Après m'avoir larguée, il m'a demandé de l'aider avec ses devoirs - tu te rends compte !
   After dumping me, he asked if I'd help him with his homework - can you believe it?!

You can also use this expression in the imperative, for more or less the same meaning: Rends-toi compte ! - "Just imagine! Just think!"

Post your comments about the French expression tu te rends compte on my French blog - just hit "comments" at the bottom of the post.

More: Expressions with rendre | Most common French phrases