Which one should you use?
For a more formal structure, you can invert the subject and verb to say As-tu un animal de compagnie ? Another standard way to form this question is by adding Est-ce que to the beginning: Est-ce que tu as un animal de compagnie ?
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
If you are speaking to a friend, a family member or a child, use the informal tu as un animal de compagnie ? For formal or polite situations, such as when speaking to a stranger, a superior or a group of people, use vous avez un animal de compagnie ? Other formal options include Avez-vous un animal de compagnie? or Possédez-vous un animal domestique? In very casual settings, you may hear the colloquial T'as un animal domestique?
How does it change in a sentence?
In French, a standard way to form a question is to add Est-ce que to the start of a statement. Alternatively, you can use inversion, which involves switching the positions of the verb and the subject, as seen in As-tu un animal de compagnie ?
Did you know?
- The word compagnie in 'pet' comes from the Latin words for 'with' and 'bread'. This suggests that a companion was originally someone you shared a meal with.
- In French, the phrase animal de compagnie literally translates to 'animal of company'. This emphasizes the social role of the pet rather than just the act of owning it.
Examples in context
- Dis-moi, tu as un animal de compagnie ?Tell me, do you have a pet?
Example conversation
Léa and Hugo are chatting at a coffee shop.
- LéaTu as un animal de compagnie ?Do you have a pet?
- HugoOui, j'ai un petit chien.Yes, I have a little dog.
- LéaOh, il est mignon ?Oh, is he cute?
- HugoTrès mignon, il s'appelle Max.Very cute, his name is Max.
