Voici

Voici is a French expression used to introduce or present something or someone, translating roughly as “here is/are.” It is a fixed phrase formed from the verb voir (to see) with the proximal particle ci, indicating proximity. Historically, it derives from the idea of “see this here” and is treated as a single, idiomatic unit in modern French.

In usage, voici appears at the beginning of a clause when presenting a noun phrase or a proper noun. It can accompany a singular or plural noun: voici le livre, voici les documents. It can also precede a full noun clause that names or explains what is being presented: voici ce que je propose. While it is common in spoken French, voici is also frequent in written and formal contexts, such as presentations, introductions, or explanatory passages.

Voix and nuance: voici is typically used for items that are near the speaker or newly introduced to the listener. Its counterpart, voilà, is used to indicate distance, removal, or a conclusion, and is often used to present something that is farther away or already known to the listener. The pair ainsi guides the speaker’s sense of proximity rather than a strict rule.

Examples: Voici le rapport demandé. Voici les candidats retenus. Voici pourquoi cela est nécessaire. Note that voici is almost always followed by a noun or noun phrase; when used with adjectives, the phrase remains nominal or is followed by a relative clause.