tu es un chien ?
The English phrase "are you a dog?" is translated into French as tu es un chien ?
This phrase is used to ask a question regarding whether a person is literally a canine animal.
Which one should you use?
The phrase un chien refers specifically to a male dog. If you were referring to a female dog, you would use une chienne.
How does it change in a sentence?
You should use the form vous êtes un chien ? if you are addressing more than one person or if you are using the formal vous to address a single person.
Did you know?
- While un chien refers to a male dog, the feminine form une chienne is frequently used as a highly vulgar and offensive slur in French. This makes the gendered version of the word much more socially dangerous than the masculine one.
- Calling someone un chien in French can be a grave insult, often implying the person is despicable or lacks moral integrity.
- If you are speaking to a child or being very affectionate, you would likely use the word toutou instead of chien. This is the French equivalent of calling a pet a 'doggy' or 'doggie' in English.
Examples in context
- Excusez-moi, monsieur, êtes-vous un chien?Excuse me, sir, are you a dog?
- Maman, es-tu un chien?Mom, are you a dog?
- Attends, tu es un chien ?Wait, are you a dog?
- Pourquoi poses-tu cette question, tu es un chien ?Why are you asking this question, are you a dog?
Example conversation
Hugo and Manon are playing a silly game with a costume.
- HugoManon, tu es un chien ?Manon, are you a dog?
- ManonNon, je suis une femme !No, I am a woman!
- HugoMais tu portes un masque de chien.But you are wearing a dog mask.
- ManonC'est pour le jeu, Hugo.It is for the game, Hugo.
