When forming questions in French, there are several key interrogative words that are used to ask different types of questions. Here are some of the most common interrogative words in French:
Interrogative Word | English Translation | Example Question |
---|---|---|
Qui | Who | Qui est là? (Who is there?) |
Que/Qu' | What | Qu'est-ce que c'est? (What is it?) |
Où | Where | Où vas-tu? (Where are you going?) |
Quand | When | Quand partez-vous? (When are you leaving?) |
Comment | How | Comment dit-on «cat» en français? (How do you say "cat" in French?) |
Pourquoi | Why | Pourquoi êtes-vous en retard? (Why are you late?) |
Combien | How much/How many | Combien coûte cette chemise? (How much does this shirt cost?) |
Qui is used to ask who did something or who something is referring to. For example:
Que (or qu’ before a vowel) is used to ask what something is or what happened. For example:
Où asks where something is or where an action takes place. For example:
Quand asks when something happened or will happen. For example:
Comment asks how something was done or how something happens. For example:
Pourquoi asks why something happened or for what reason. For example:
Combien asks about a quantity of something. For example:
Used to ask which person or thing among many is being referred to. For example:
Used to ask about the identity or nature of something. For example:
This is the interrogative phrase “where is it that…” in French. For example:
Qu’est-ce que c’est – What is it that Used to ask what something is. The “que” can be omitted in informal speech. For example:
Use “que” when it comes before a consonant sound, and “qu’” when it comes before a vowel sound or silent h. For example:
Que veux-tu? (What do you want?) Qu’as-tu fait? (What did you do?)
“Où” by itself means “where”, while “où est-ce que” is used to soften the question as “where is it that…”
Use “Qu’est-ce que c’est” or just “Qu’est-ce que” informally. For example:
Qu’est-ce que c’est que cela? (What is that?) Qu’est-ce que tu fais? (What are you doing?)
No, words like quand (when), comment (how), and pourquoi (why) do not change form in questions.
Learning and practicing these common interrogative words in French will help you form basic questions needed for conversation. Start by memorizing the words, practice using them in example sentences, and try incorporating them when speaking French.
© 2024 NeedFrench - Learn French online with free resources.
© 2024 NeedFrench - Learn French online with free resources.