roulez

Roulez is a French verb form derived from rouler, meaning to roll, to drive, or to go along. It functions primarily as the imperative for the second person plural (you all) and, in formal contexts, as the polite or formal imperative addressing a single person. In use, it conveys a directive to proceed, move, or continue.

Grammatical notes are helpful for understanding its forms. In the present indicative, the verb appears as je roule, tu roules, il roule, nous roulons, vous roulez, ils roulent. The imperative forms are roule for tu, roulons for nous, and roulez for vous. Thus, Roulez is typically seen on signs or in commands directed at a group or a formal address, such as “Roulez lentement” or “Roulez tout droit.”

Usage and senses. Rouler covers both physical rolling (a wheel or object that spins) and movement of vehicles or people (to drive, to travel). It can describe how something operates, as in a machine running smoothly: “La voiture roule bien.” In everyday speech, it appears in expressions about progress or continuation, for example, “Le projet roule” meaning the project is proceeding. The verb also appears in reflexive form, as in se rouler, meaning to roll oneself or to thrash about on the ground (se rouler par terre).

Common phrases include directions or safety notes such as “Roulez prudemment” (drive carefully) and “Roulez jusqu’au prochain feu” (go on until the next traffic light). The word is widely used in transportation, mechanics, sports, and metaphorical contexts to indicate motion or continuity.

Etymology. Roulez derives from Old French rouler, with cognates in other Romance languages such as Spanish rodar and Italian rotolare. See also Rouler (verb).