What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "you have spent a good weekend?" because the verb passer (to spend or pass time) is used instead of avoir (to have).
Which one should you use?
While the default form tu as passé un bon week-end ? is standard for informal settings, you can use Avez-vous passé un bon week-end ? or Est-ce que vous avez passé un bon week-end ? to be more formal. To ask "How was your weekend?" specifically, you can use Comment s'est passé votre week-end ? (formal) or Comment s'est passé ton week-end ? (informal).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Use tu as passé un bon week-end ? when speaking to a friend, a family member or someone you know well. For a stranger, a superior or a group of people, use vous avez passé un bon week-end ? or the more formal Avez-vous passé un bon week-end ? and Est-ce que vous avez passé un bon week-end ?
How does it change in a sentence?
Inverting the subject and the verb, such as in as-tu passé un bon week-end ?, makes the question more formal than the standard declarative form tu as passé un bon week-end ?
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using the verb avoir (to have) to mean "experienced/spent" in this context. English speakers often mistakenly say tu as eu un bon week-end ?, but French speakers use passer to talk about experiencing a period of time.
When do people say it?
A common natural response to this question is Oui, c'était super, merci ! (Yes, it was great, thanks!).
Did you know?
- The word week-end in French is a direct loanword from English. While many French words have older origins, this specific term was borrowed directly from English and maintains its English spelling.
Examples in context
- Bonjour Monsieur Dupont. Comment s'est passé votre week-end ?Hello, Mr. Dupont. How was your weekend?
- Madame Rousseau, est-ce que vous avez passé un bon week-end ?Mrs. Rousseau, did you have a good weekend?
- Excusez-moi, Monsieur Martin. Avez-vous passé un bon week-end ?Excuse me, Mr. Martin. Did you have a good weekend?
- Salut Marie ! Comment s'est passé ton week-end ?Hi Marie! How was your weekend?
- Salut Thomas ! Tu as passé un bon week-end ?Hi Thomas! Did you have a good weekend?
- Alors, tu as passé un bon week-end ?So, did you have a good weekend?
- Dis-moi, tu as passé un bon week-end ?Tell me, did you have a good weekend?
- Salut, tu as passé un bon week-end ?Hi, did you have a good weekend?
Example conversation
Lucas and Léa meet at the office on Monday morning.
- LucasSalut Léa, tu as passé un bon week-end ?Hi Léa, did you have a good weekend?
- LéaOui, c'était très relaxant, merci.Yes, it was very relaxing, thank you.
- LucasTant mieux, je suis content pour toi.That's good, I am happy for you.
- LéaEt toi, Lucas, c'était sympa ?And you, Lucas, was it nice?
