demander
/də.mɑ̃.de/
To ask in French is expressed as demander. Wiktionary also lists poser une question.
Meaning: request an answer (verb)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| demander | /də.mɑ̃.de/ |
| poser une question |
The term is used when you want to request an answer, request an object or request a favor.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb demander is etymologically related to the concept of demanding or requesting something.
Which one should you use?
While demander is a general term for requesting information or items, poser une question is used specifically for the act of posing a question. To contrast, demander is the preferred choice when you want to request an object, a favor or an answer.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you are asking a person, you must use the preposition à before the person, forming the structure demander à [person].
How do you pronounce it?
demander is pronounced /də.mɑ̃.de/ and has 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- The French verb demander is a linguistic cousin to the English word 'demand' but is used for simple requests like 'Can I have a glass of water?'
- The word poser comes from the Vulgar Latin pausāre, which originally related to pausing or resting before it meant to place or set.
- The phrase poser une question literally translates to 'placing a question' rather than asking one.
Examples in context
- Que demander de plus ?What more could one ask for?This sentence uses demander to express what more one could ask for.Tatoeba #3636962 by sacredceltic, translation #3271534 by CM
- Puis-je demander qui ?Can I ask who?This sentence uses demander to ask for the identity of a person.Tatoeba #3938009 by sacredceltic, translation #3731442 by CM
- Allons demander à Tom.Let's go ask Tom.This sentence uses demander to suggest asking a specific person.Tatoeba #5655262 by Yemana, translation #2007859 by CK
- Je voudrais vous demander quelque choseI would like to ask you something
- J'ai besoin de m'inquérir de votre avisI need to inquire about your opinion
- Le policier va interroger le suspectThe policeman is going to question the suspect
- Je vais lui demander de m'accompagnerI'm going to ask him/her to accompany me
- J'ai envie de te poser une questionI feel like asking you a question
- Je me renseigne sur les horaires du spectacleI'm asking for information about the show's schedule
- 707 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Hugo are in a classroom.
- ChloéJe vais demander au professeur pour l'examen.I am going to ask the teacher about the exam.
- HugoC'est une bonne idée, Hugo est d'accord.That is a good idea, Hugo agrees.
- ChloéTu veux demander quelque chose avec moi ?Do you want to ask something with me?
- HugoOui, je veux demander la date exacte.Yes, I want to ask the exact date.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ask” translations and entries demander, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries demander, poser, question, une, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
