request

Les modes des questions
Les Questions
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:
Who, What, Where, When, Why, Which and How.
In French, these words become:
Qui, Quoi, Où, Quand, Pourquoi, Quel, et Comment.
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
"Who?"
In French you would say exactly that,
"Qui?"
Here are some more uses for "Qui:"
• Qui êtes-vous? (Who are you)
• Qui est à l'appareil? (Who's calling?)

Quoi (What)
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. It is a combination
of "que" and "est-ce que.")
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?"
"Ceci, c'est ce que tu cherches?"
This translation means, literally, "This, it's what you search?"
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." (Note that all these
sentences happen to use inversion.)
• Qu'est-ce que tu aimes faire? (What do you like to do?)
• Qu'est-ce que c'est? (What's that?)
• Qu'est-ce qu'il y a? (What is there? or What's going on?)
• Qu'avez-vous fait? (What have you done?)

Où (Where)
Please note: When using "où," don't forget the accent!
Without this accent, "ou" means "or!"
"Où" is the question word that travelers like best! It translates pretty much exactly
into English "where."
"Where is customs?"
"Où est la douane?"
"Where are Pierre and Jean?"
"Où sont Pierre et Jean?"
"Where is it?"
"C'est où?"
"Where are you from?"
"Vous êtes d'où?"
Here are some more uses for "où."
• Où sont les toilettes? (Where are the bathrooms?)
• Elle habite où? (She lives where?)
• Savez-vous où je suis? (Do you know where I am?)
• Où sont mes skis? (Where are my skis?)

Quand (When)
"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 "à quelle heure" ("at which hour," literally). Look at
the following dialogue 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 part 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?)
• Quand allez-vous arriver? (When are you going to arrive?)