Which one should you use?
While tu as fini ? is a common way to ask if someone has finished, Avez-vous fini? and As-tu fini? are more formal versions. If you want to ask if someone has completed a task specifically, you can use Avez-vous terminé? or Tu as terminé?
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The level of formality depends on the subject and the structure used. tu as fini ? and Tu as terminé? are informal. Avez-vous fini? and Avez-vous terminé? are formal. In very casual spoken French, you may hear the elided form t'as fini ?
How does it change in a sentence?
To address more than one person or to show respect through the formal vous, use vous avez fini ? instead of tu as fini ? Inverting the subject and verb, as seen in As-tu fini?, is a more formal way to structure the question than the standard word order of tu as fini ?
When do people say it?
If someone asks if you are finished, a common way to respond affirmatively is Oui, j'ai fini. (Yes, I am done.). To say you are not finished yet, you can say Pas encore. (Not yet.).
Did you know?
- While tu as fini ? asks if a task is complete, the phrase t'as fini ? can be used as a sarcastic rhetorical question to mean 'Are you crazy?' or 'Have you finally stopped acting up?'
- If you use the formal Avez-vous fini ? in a very casual setting, like with a close friend, you might actually sound cold or even angry, as the formal 'vous' can create psychological distance.
- The word fini comes from the Latin 'finis' meaning 'end' or 'boundary'. This is the same root that gives English the words 'finish' and 'final'.
Examples in context
- Avez-vous fini le rapport?Have you finished the report?
- Avez-vous terminé votre devoir?Have you completed your homework?
- As-tu fini de lire ce livre?Have you finished reading this book?
- Oui, j'ai terminé il y a une heure.Yes, I finished an hour ago.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries as, tu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
