A1 French GrammarBasic Questions
Learn to ask yes/no questions and use question words (qui, quoi, où, quand, pourquoi, comment, combien) in French. Master the three ways to form questions: intonation, est-ce que, and inversion. Essential for everyday conversations.
1Yes/No Questions
There are three ways to ask yes/no questions in French. 1) Rising intonation: 'Tu parles français?' 2) Est-ce que + statement: 'Est-ce que tu parles français?' 3) Inversion of subject and verb: 'Parles-tu français?' All three mean the same thing.
Three Ways to Ask Questions
| Method | Example | Formality |
|---|---|---|
| Intonation | Tu viens? | Informal |
| Est-ce que | Est-ce que tu viens? | Neutral |
| Inversion | Viens-tu? | Formal |
Examples
Tu aimes le chocolat?
Do you like chocolate?
rising intonation - informal
Est-ce que vous parlez anglais?
Do you speak English?
est-ce que - neutral/polite
Avez-vous une réservation?
Do you have a reservation?
inversion - formal
Elle habite à Paris?
Does she live in Paris?
intonation with third person
2Question Words (Mots Interrogatifs)
French question words include: qui (who), que/quoi (what), où (where), quand (when), pourquoi (why), comment (how), combien (how much/many), quel/quelle (which). These can be used with est-ce que or inversion.
Common Question Words
| French | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| qui | who | Qui est-ce? |
| que / quoi | what | Que fais-tu? |
| où | where | Où habites-tu? |
| quand | when | Quand arrive-t-il? |
| pourquoi | why | Pourquoi tu pleures? |
| comment | how | Comment ça va? |
| combien | how much/many | Combien ça coûte? |
Examples
Qui est cette femme?
Who is that woman?
qui for people
Où est la gare?
Where is the train station?
où for location
Pourquoi tu es en retard?
Why are you late?
pourquoi for reason
Comment tu t'appelles?
What's your name?
comment = how (lit. how do you call yourself)
3Quel/Quelle (Which/What)
Quel means 'which' or 'what' and agrees with the noun it modifies: quel (m.s.), quelle (f.s.), quels (m.pl.), quelles (f.pl.). It's always followed by a noun or used with être. Compare: 'Quel livre?' (Which book?) vs 'Qu'est-ce que c'est?' (What is it?).
Forms of Quel
| Gender/Number | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Masculine singular | quel | Quel film? |
| Feminine singular | quelle | Quelle heure est-il? |
| Masculine plural | quels | Quels livres? |
| Feminine plural | quelles | Quelles chaussures? |
Examples
Quelle heure est-il?
What time is it?
quelle with feminine heure
Quel est ton numéro de téléphone?
What is your phone number?
quel with être
Quels sont tes films préférés?
What are your favorite movies?
quels plural with être
Quelle couleur tu préfères?
Which color do you prefer?
quelle before noun
4Common Question Patterns
Some questions have set patterns: 'Qu'est-ce que c'est?' (What is this?), 'Qu'est-ce qui se passe?' (What's happening?), 'À quelle heure...?' (At what time...?), 'D'où viens-tu?' (Where are you from?). Learn these as fixed expressions.
Fixed Question Expressions
| French | English | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Qu'est-ce que c'est? | What is this? | identifying things |
| Qu'est-ce qui se passe? | What's happening? | asking about events |
| Comment ça va? | How are you? | greeting |
| D'où viens-tu? | Where are you from? | origin |
Examples
Qu'est-ce que tu fais?
What are you doing?
qu'est-ce que + subject + verb
À quelle heure part le train?
What time does the train leave?
à quelle heure for time
D'où viens-tu?
Where are you from?
d'où for origin
Combien de frères as-tu?
How many brothers do you have?
combien de + noun