i think languages logo

How to ask questions in French

formats of questions in french

As humans, we have so many questions that arouse our curiosity. With every question, we learn something new.

Questions are an essential part of everyday conversations. So, let’s learn to ask the right questions in French to buy all the information we need.

The importance of asking a question

To draw the inference to a lot of issues, we require a proper answer. By asking questions we become aware of what is unknown and elevate our understanding of what is already known.

Questions help us to understand people, discover a new place, build relationships, and exchange ideas. Irrespective of the language, questions can be classified into open-ended and closed-ended questions.

Closed-ended questions are simply answered with a yes or a no. On the other hand, open-ended questions provide us with a detailed or in-depth description to think and reflect on the respective topic.

In French, questions can be formed in multiple ways depending upon the formal and informal situations.

Different formats of asking a question

There are five ways to frame a question in French that are comparatively easier to understand and practice. Therefore it is important to know the formation and basic question words to classify their type and facilitate our spoken French.

1. Using interrogative words

The interrogative words are required to phrase the basic questions like who, what, where, why, how, etc. The words are further grouped into 3 categories as follows:

1. Interrogative pronounsQui, que/quoi, lequel

Qui(who/whom): It is used to indicate a person. When qui is utilized with a preposition it becomes whom.

Example:

Oui veut apprendre le français? (Who wants to learn French?)

À qui tu parles? (To whom are you speaking?)

Que/Quoi(what): It is used to indicate objects or things. When que is utilized with a preposition it holds the same meaning but the word is replaced with quoi. Quoi is also frequently used when we speak informally.

Example:

Que veux-tu? (What do you want?)

À quoi tu penses? ( What are you thinking)

In informal situations, you can utilize quoi instead of que.

Tu fais quoi ce weekend? ( What are you doing this weekend?)

Quoi de neuf? (What’s new?)

Lequel (which)

Lequel is an interrogative pronoun that is often used while referring to things. Moreover, it is used along with the interrogative adjective and is classified into multiple forms similar to “quel“. It is also preceded by the prepositions à, de, or pour.

2. Interrogative adjectivesQuel/Quelle/Quels/Quelles(what/which)

Quel takes up four forms depending upon the gender and quantity of the describing noun. The following four forms can be framed in 3 ways to ask a question.

Quel is used when the noun is masculine singular. Quelle is used when the noun is feminine singular. Quels is used when the noun is masculine plural. Quelles is used when the noun is feminine plural.

They can be used in the middle of the phrase, along with a proposition and a noun, and with the verb “être“.

Example:

Tu préfères quel film ?(informal)/ Quel est votre film préféré? (Which movie do you prefer?)

À quelle heure l’avion quitter? (At what time does the plane leave?)

Quels sont les meilleurs parcs de la ville? (What are the best parks in the city?)

Quelles sont vos couleurs préférées? (What are your favorite colors?)

3. Interrogative adverbsComment, quand, pourquoi, , combien(de)

The interrogative adverbs are simple with no hidden rules. , combien, and quand can also be followed by a preposition in certain cases.

Comment(how)

Example:

Comment allez-vous? (How are you?)

Comment ça va? (How are you? / How’s it going)

Quand (when)

Example:

Quand pars-tu? (When are you leaving?)

Quand commence l’hiver en France? ( When does winter start in France?)

Pourquoi (why)

Pourquoi can never be placed at the end of the question.

Example:

Pourquoi êtes-vous en retard? (Why are you late?)

Pourquoi voulez-vous apprendre le français? ( Why do you want to learn French?)

(where)

Example:

Où allez-vous? (Where are you going?)

habitez-vous? (Where do you live?)

Combien de (How much/how many)

Example:

Ça coûte combien?/C’est combien?(How much is it?)

Combien de pommes voulez-vous? (How many apples do you want?)

2. Using Est-ce que

Est-ce que is the most common form of asking a question and it translates to “is it that…”. Usually, we don’t prefer “is it that..” in front of a question in English.

At times, an exact translation might not sound right or fit well when we compare two languages but that’s why every language is unique.

Questions with est-ce que provide an answer with a simple yes or no predominantly. It is also frequently used with interrogative words.

Example:

Qu’est-ce que c’est? (What is it?)

Qu’est-ce que tu fais? (What are you doing?)

Est-ce que vous parlez français? (Do you speak French?/Is it that you speak French?)

Comment est-ce que tu connais cet endroit? (How do you know this place?)

3. Questions with inversion

Inverted questions are found to be more polite and formal. It is formed with a slight alteration in the order of the words. The subject and the verb get shifted or inverted thereby changing a normal statement into a question.

Example:

Habitez-vous à Paris? (Do you live in Paris?)

Aimez-vous la poésie française? (Do you like French poems?)

If the subject and the verb have a clash between vowels then the letter “t” is added between the inverted verb and the subject.

Example:

Aime-t-elle les chocolats? (Does she like chocolates)

Va-t-on en France ce weekend? (Are we going to France this weekend?)

If the sentence contains a name as a subject then invert the equivalent subject pronoun of that particular noun.

Example:

Statement: Peter veut la glace. (Peter wants icecream)

Question: Peter, veut-il la glace?

4. Questions with intonation

Questions with intonation can provide different meanings to a simple sentence. You can state something by raising your pitch at the end to make it a question.

There is no inversion or extra words attached to it. A simple statement is modified by adjusting your tone and it is mostly used in informal conversations

Example:

Vous aimez le sport? (You like sports?)

Tu pars demain? ( You are leaving tomorrow?)

5. Using n’est-ce pas

Have you heard of tag questions in English? A short expression or phrase is added to the end of a statement to verify or assure the action.

Example: Isn’t it? Aren’t you? Didn’t you?

In English, the tag questions change accordingly to the specific verb in the sentence whereas, in French, the tag question is n’est-ce pas (is it not) irrespective of the verb.

Example:

Ils ont fait leurs devoirs, n’est-ce pas? (They have done their homework, haven’t they?)

Elle ne vient pas, n’est-ce pas? (She is not coming, is she?)

Do you have any questions?

A question is a good way to show your willingness to learn and grow. By knowing the different ways to pose a question in French, you become unstoppable to open new doors and ideas.

So, eliminate your confusion with the right question and ask it out loud to uncover all the hidden secrets in French.

Related Posts

French: How to teach on Italki

Why a guide to teaching languages online I’m ready to reveal my small secrets as I transition from providing online instruction to managing my website.

German: Babbel vs Duolingo: differences

Numerous individuals use software and apps to learn new languages. These days, two well-known online resources for language learning include Babbel and Duolingo. They both

Languages: Babbel vs Duolingo: differences

In today’s post, we’ll talk about the differences between Babbel and Duolingo. These are unquestionably the two most well-known language learning programs out there. Let’s

Top 20 Spanish words used in sports

Discover the top 20 Spanish words commonly used in the world of sports. Enhance your sports vocabulary and understanding with our informative blog. Introduction The

French Phrases You Need in Workplace

Mastering French phrases in the workplace is essential for effective communication. This blog explores key phrases to navigate the professional world en français. I. Introduction

Sea in French: How to say Sea in Italian

Discover the Italian translation for “sea” with our guide. Learn how to pronounce and use this common word in the beautiful Italian language. The sea

Spanish adverbials: Mientras…

The word Mientras can be an adverb or conjunction depending on the sentence and its structure. You can use mientras to connect two actions in

Spanish imperative negative + pronouns

The Spanish structure imperativo negativo + pronombres enclíticos is a bit controversial topic since many Spanish students get confused when using it. Los pronombres enclíticos

7 Myths About Learning Spanish

Unveiling the truth behind learning Spanish! Discover and debunk the 7 common myths that may be holding you back from mastering this vibrant language. Are

Famous French Food You Must Try

Indulge in the flavors of France with our guide to famous French food. Discover must-try dishes like escargots, coq au vin, and crème brûlée. Bon

Famous French Singers You Must Know

Discover the iconic voices that have made French music famous worldwide. Our list of famous French singers features timeless classics and modern hits. French singers

Famous Spanish Food You Must Try

Embark on a delectable journey through Spain’s culinary wonders! Discover the must-try famous Spanish dishes that will tantalize your taste buds. Spanish Food Spain is

Famous German Singers You Must Know

Get ready to immerse yourself in the enchanting world of German music as we showcase the extraordinary talents of renowned singers from Germany. From timeless

Famous Spanish Singers You Must Know

Let the music captivate your senses and ignite your passion for Spanish culture by knowing the famous Spanish singers that ever existed. Importance of Spanish

German Phrases You Need in the Workplace

Discover essential German phrases for the workplace. From greetings to professional conversations, equip yourself with the necessary language skills. German Phrases in the Workplace Learning

Spanish Phrases You Need in Workplace

Master the essential Spanish phrases for the workplace and enhance your communication skills. From greetings to professional requests, we’ve got you covered! Spanish Words in

Top Spanish Speaking Countries

Explore the vibrant cultures and diverse landscapes of the top Spanish-speaking countries in this blog. Discover their history, traditions, and more! Explanation of the importance

Top 20 German Words Used in Sports

Discover the top 20 German words commonly used in sports, from ‘Tor’ to ‘Abseits’. Enhance your sports vocabulary and impress your German-speaking friends! Introduction Explanation

Top 20 French Words Used in Sports

Discover the Top 20 French words used in sports! From “but” to “arbitre,” learn essential vocab to help you better understand the sports world in

How to Say “Food” in Spanish

“Learn the different ways to say ‘food’ in Spanish and expand your vocabulary with our comprehensive guide. Enhance your language skills today!” One of the

How to Say “Food” in French

Learn the various ways to say “food” in French with this comprehensive guide. Expand your vocabulary and impress your francophone friends! “Food” in French: La

How to Say “Food” in German

Learn how to say ‘food’ in German and impress your friends with your language skills! Check out our easy guide and enhance your vocabulary today.

Top 7 Reasons for learning French

Parlez-vous Français? Explore the top 7 reasons for learning French and unlock a world of opportunities. Start your language journey with confidence today! 7 reasons

Top 7 Reasons for Learning German

Discover the power of learning German! Unlock opportunities and expand your horizons with compelling reasons to study German. Start your linguistic journey today! Reasons for

Top 9 Reasons for learning Spanish

Is learning Spanish worth it? What are the top reasons for learning the Spanish language? Start your Spanish journey now! Reasons why learning Spanish is worth

How to learn Spanish through Podcasts

Do you want to learn Spanish through podcasts? Immerse yourself in the richness of the Spanish language with our podcast-based learning guide. Learn Spanish through

How to learn Languages through Podcasts

Unlock the power of language learning with podcasts! Explore the ultimate guide to mastering a new language through engaging podcasts. Start your linguistic journey now!

How to Maximize Your Time in Learning German

Learn German efficiently with expert tips! Discover effective techniques on how to maximize your time in learning German. Tips and strategies for efficiently learning German

How to learn French through Podcasts

Unlock the beauty of the French language with our podcast-based learning approach. Master French effortlessly with engaging lessons and practical tips! The Power of Podcasts

How to Learn German through Podcasts

Master German with ease! Explore the ultimate guide to learning German through podcasts. Gain language skills, cultural insights, and fluency. Start your German journey now!

How hard is it to learn German?

How hard is it to learn German?  Our comprehensive guide provides insights into the challenges and strategies to master the language. How hard is it

How hard is it to learn French?

Discover how difficult it is to learn French in our latest blog post, “Parlez-Vous Français?”. Gain insights and tips to improve your French skills. Parlez-vous

How to say in German

Looking to learn how to say common phrases in German? Check out this blog for tips and tricks on how to speak the language like

How to Pronounce Luxury Brands in French?

Are you a fashion enthusiast struggling to correctly pronounce luxury brand names in French? Look no further! In this French pronunciation guide for luxury brands,

Silent French H: Mute and Aspirated

The silent letter h is often causing trouble to French learners. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the “h” mute and

Faire la Bise: All about French Kiss

If you’re wondering how to greet in French, either through handshakes or kisses, you are at the right place. Today, you’ll learn how to navigate

Speaking practice: talk to yourself

Improve your speaking skills with these simple tips on how to practice speaking by talking to yourself. Start speaking confidently today! Read more here. Speaking

Spaced repetition for the German language

Master German faster with spaced repetition! Our blog explains how this powerful technique works and offers tips to incorporate it into your learning routine. What

What does TE AMO mean in Spanish?

Discover the romantic meaning behind Te Amo, the Spanish phrase for ‘I love you’. Explore its cultural significance and usage in everyday life. Te Amo