Tu es surpris ?
In French, "are you surprised?" is expressed as Tu es surpris ?
The phrase is used to ask someone if they are experiencing surprise. You can also use the inverted form es-tu étonné(e) instead of Tu es étonné(e) ?
Which one should you use?
Tu es surpris ? is used for friends, family or peers. In contrast, Vous êtes surpris ? is used for strangers, superiors or multiple people. For a more formal written style, you may use the inverted question Es-tu surpris ? or you can use the very common spoken structure Est-ce que tu es surpris ? by adding Est-ce que to the beginning of the statement.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the adjective changes based on whom you are addressing. If the person being addressed is female, the adjective must take an extra 'e' to become surprise. To address a group of people or to use the formal 'you', use Vous êtes surpris ? If you are addressing a group of only women, the adjective becomes surprises.
Did you know?
- The distinction between tu and vous can be so strict that long-term friends or colleagues may never switch to tu without a formal agreement called 'tutoiement'.
- The word surpris can also mean 'caught' in a legal or physical sense, such as being 'caught in the act'.
- In casual French, speakers often omit the tu es entirely and simply use a rising intonation on the word surpris to ask the question.
Examples in context
- Votre niveau de français est excellent. Êtes-vous surpris(e) ?Your French level is excellent. Are you surprised?
- Notre équipe a obtenu ce contrat important. Est-ce que cela vous surprend ?Our team has secured this important contract. Does this surprise you?
- Devine quoi ? J'ai eu le job ! Tu es étonné(e) ?Guess what? I got the job! Are you surprised?
Example conversation
Chloé tells Nathan that she won the lottery.
- ChloéJ'ai gagné au loto !I won the lottery!
- NathanC'est incroyable !That's incredible!
- ChloéTu es surpris ?Are you surprised?
- NathanOui, je suis très surpris.Yes, I am very surprised.
