Vous êtes ouverts ?
The English phrase "are you open?" is translated into French as Vous êtes ouverts ?
This phrase is used to ask if a business or shop is currently available to serve customers.
How does it change in a sentence?
To form a more standard and grammatically complete question, you can add Est-ce que to the beginning of the phrase: Est-ce que vous êtes ouverts ?
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers sometimes mistakenly use the present tense of the verb to open, Vous ouvrez ?, which actually means "Are you opening?" Instead, use Vous êtes ouverts ? to ask about the current status of a business.
Did you know?
- The word vous used in Vous êtes ouverts ? is a cognate of the Russian word вы (vy) and the Italian voi, as both share an ancient Proto-Indo-European ancestor.
- If you ask Vous êtes ouverts ? at a small French boutique, the owner might reply with C'est fermé (It is closed) even if they are standing right there, referring to the shop's legal status rather than their presence.
- The French word ouvert can also be used to describe a person who is 'open-minded', creating a double meaning if you use the phrase in a social context rather than a commercial one.
Examples in context
- Pourriez-vous me dire si vous êtes ouvert?Could you tell me if you are open?
Example conversation
Manon calls a local bakery to check their hours.
- ManonBonjour, vous êtes ouverts ?Hello, are you open?
- GabrielOui, nous sommes ouverts jusqu'à dix-huit heures.Yes, we are open until six p.m.
- ManonParfait, j'arrive tout de suite.Perfect, I'm coming right now.
- GabrielÀ tout de suite, Madame.See you soon, Ma'am.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries vous, CC BY-SA 4.0.
