tu peux
The English phrase "can you" is translated into French as tu peux.
The phrase is used to ask if someone is able to do something. In casual spoken French, the question is often formed simply by using the statement tu peux with a rising intonation at the end. The phrase Est-ce que tu peux? is an informal way to say 'Can you?' in French.
Which one should you use?
Use vous pouvez instead of tu peux when speaking to a stranger, a superior or more than one person.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some parts of Quebec, Canada, it is common to use the expression Tu peux-tu? to ask "can you?"
How does it change in a sentence?
A very common way to form the question is to add est-ce que before the phrase tu peux.
Did you know?
- The word tu is a cognate with the German 'du' and the Russian ты, all descending from the same ancient Proto-Indo-European root.
- In Quebec, the phrase Tu peux-tu? uses a double tu where the second one acts as a question marker rather than a pronoun.
- In very formal French, the inversion Peux-tu? is used, but in modern spoken French, this is so rare it can sound like a character from a period novel.
Examples in context
- Tu peux venir ?Can you scoot over?This example shows how to use tu peux to ask someone to scoot over.Tatoeba #5824844 by EvaFranska, translation #11229430 by CK
- Tu peux essayer ?Can you try?This example shows how to use tu peux to ask if someone can try something.Tatoeba #4614498 by Amastan, translation #2245062 by CK
- Tu peux le faire ?Can you do it?This example shows how to use tu peux to ask if someone can do it.Tatoeba #8435352 by lbdx, translation #2649226 by CK
- Est-ce que tu peux me prêter ton crayon?Can you lend me your pencil?
- Est-ce que tu peux m'aider avec mes devoirs?Can you help me with my homework?
- Est-ce que tu peux venir chez moi demain?Can you come to my house tomorrow?
- Pouvez-vous m'envoyer le rapport par e-mail?Can you send me the report by email?
- Pouvez-vous répéter, s'il vous plaît?Can you repeat, please?
- Pouvez-vous me donner votre numéro de téléphone?Can you give me your phone number?
- 167 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Lucas are in the kitchen.
- EmmaTu peux m'aider avec le gâteau ?Can you help me with the cake?
- LucasOui, je peux t'aider.Yes, I can help you.
- EmmaTu peux prendre le sucre ?Can you grab the sugar?
- LucasBien sûr, le voici.Of course, here it is.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
