du nouveau
In French, "any updates" is expressed as du nouveau.
This phrase is used to ask if a situation has changed or if new information has become available.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In casual, spoken French, you can use du nouveau as a standalone question, similar to saying "any news?" in English. For formal situations, you might use more structured phrases like Avez-vous des mises à jour? to mean "Do you have any updates?" or Pouvez-vous me tenir au courant? to mean "Can you keep me informed?" In informal settings, you can also use Quoi de neuf? for "What's new?" or Des nouvelles? for "Any news?"
How does it change in a sentence?
To turn the phrase into a full question, you typically add Y a-t-il (Is there) at the beginning, resulting in Y a-t-il du nouveau ?
Did you know?
- French has a distinct difference between nouveau and neuf. While both mean 'new', nouveau refers to something that is new in a qualitative or situational sense, whereas neuf specifically describes something that has just been manufactured.
- In professional emails, French speakers often avoid du nouveau and instead use the noun point, as in faire un point. This translates to 'making a point' but actually means to provide a status update.
- The word nouveau comes from the Latin novellus. This same root gave English the word 'novel' in the sense of a new story and the word 'novice' for someone who is new to a task.
Examples in context
- Alors, du nouveau pour le projet ?So, any updates on the project?
- Est-ce qu'il y a du nouveau ?Is there any news?
- Tu as du nouveau pour le projet ?Do you have any updates on the project?
Example conversation
Manon and Lucas are discussing a job application.
- ManonSalut Lucas, alors, du nouveau pour ton entretien ?Hi Lucas, so, any updates on your interview?
- LucasPas encore, j'attends toujours leur appel.Not yet, I'm still waiting for their call.
- ManonC'est stressant, j'espère que tu auras du nouveau bientôt.That's stressful, I hope you get an update soon.
- LucasMoi aussi, merci Manon.Me too, thanks Manon.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries du, nouveau, CC BY-SA 4.0.
