If you must learn one thing in French, it is how to ask
basic questions and understand the answers. Let's start by looking at question
words in English. The main words you use to get information are:
Let's look at each one of these question words and its
uses individually. Also, investigate two more techniques of asking questions:
inversion and "est-ce que."
Qui (Who)
The use of "qui" in French is almost identical
to the use of "who" in English. For example, when in English
you would say
"Who is it?"
In French you would say
"Qui-est ce?"
which means literally "Who-is that?" When in
English, if someone said a name and you didn't understand you would say
While "quoi" is the most direct translation
of "what," there are many ways of saying "what." Which
way is used depends upon the sentence.
"What are you doing?"
"Qu'est-ce que vous faites?"
In this sentence, the question-phrase "qu'est-ce
que" is used in the place of "quoi." "Qu'est-ce que"
is more formal and should be used in writing, to a group, or to a superior.
(Qu'est-ce que literally translates to "what is that that. . ."
which just goes to show you that sometimes literal translations aren't
worthwhile. . .)
Sometimes a sentence that would contain "what"
in English uses a different question word in French. For example,
"What do you think of my sunglasses?"
"Comment trouvez-vous mes lunettes de
soleil?"
The French translation means, literally, "How find-you
my sunglasses?" Generally, when asking what someone thinks, you will
use comment (which means "how").
"Is this what you're looking
for?"
"C'est ce que tu cherches?"
This translation means, literally, "That's what you
look for?"
Mainly "quoi" itself is used if you do not understand
something. However, keep in mind that "quoi" is VERY informal!
If you are speaking to a superior or group, use the more polite "Pardon?"
instead.
Here are some more uses for "qu'est-ce que,"
"quoi," and "que."
Qu'est-ce que tu aimes faire?
(What do you like to do?)
Qu'est-ce que c'est? (What's
that?)
Parce que je suis chez eux.
(Because I am at their house.)
"Quand" is the question word roughly translating
into English "when." However, if you ask a question with "quand,"
you should expect only a general answer. When you want a more specific
answer, use "quelle heure" (which hour, literally). Look at the
following script in which these words are used.
Valérie: "Il est quelle heure maintenant?"
Stéphanie: "12h30."
Valérie: "Et nous allons chez
Jean quand?"
Stéphanie: "Ce soir."
Valérie: "À quelle heure?"
Stéphanie: "À sept heures."
Here's the English translation of that script:
Valérie: "What time is it now?"
Stéphanie: "12:30."
Valérie: "And we're going to Jean's
house when?"
Stéphanie: "This evening."
Valérie: "At what time?"
Stéphanie: "At seven o'clock."
Do you see how Valérie gets more specific answers
when she uses "quelle heure?"
Here are some more uses for "quand" and "quelle
heure."
L'avion pars à quelle
heure? (When does the plane leave?)
C'est quand, ton anniversaire?
(When is your birthday?) (INFORMAL)
Tu fais tes devoirs quand? (When
do you do your homework?)
Okay, so now you know all the question words. But, as
you may have noticed in English, not all questions contain question words.
Consider these sentences:
Are you at home?
Is Antoine at school?
Notice two things about each sentence. First of all, no
question word is used. Secondly, the verb appears before the subject. This
technique of placing the verb first is known as inversion. In French,
inversions are hyphenated. These are the translations of the sentences
above:
Es-tu à la maison?
Antoine, est-il à l'école?
All sentences can be inverted except for those
containing the pronoun "je".
Here's a special rule for inversions using the pronouns
"il", "elle", and "on:"
If the verb does not end in "t", a "t"
must be added in hyphens. For example:
Il parle = Parle-t-il?
Elle parle =Parle-t-elle?
On mange = Mange-t-on?
But, when the verb conjugation ends in "t":
Il fait = Fait-il?
Elle fait = Fait-elle?
On part = Part-on?
