tu sais ?
The English phrase "do you know?" can be translated into French as tu sais ?
This phrase is used to ask if someone is aware of a particular piece of information.
Which one should you use?
Use tu sais ? when asking if someone knows a fact or a piece of information, rather than being acquainted with a person.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
There are different ways to ask this depending on who you are addressing. Tu sais ? is an informal way to say "do you know?" Use vous savez ? when speaking to a stranger, a superior or a group of people. Connaissez-vous? is a formal way to say 'Do you know?'
Did you know?
- The French word sais is a descendant of the Latin 'sapere', which originally meant 'to taste' or 'to have a strong flavor'.
- When using tu sais ? as a filler phrase at the start of a sentence, it functions similarly to the English 'you know?' or 'like', acting as a way to pause while thinking.
- In very casual French texting, you might see people use 't'sais' as a contraction of tu sais ?, a shortcut that mirrors how the phrase is often spoken rapidly in real life.
Examples in context
- Savez-vous où se trouve la bibliothèque?Do you know where the library is?
- Connaissez-vous cet artiste renommé?Do you know this renowned artist?
- Tu sais où se trouve mon portable?Do you know where my cellphone is?
- Tu connais ce restaurant délicieux?Do you know this delicious restaurant?
- Savez-vous si le train est à l'heure?Do you know if the train is on time?
- Connaissez-vous le nom de cet acteur?Do you know the name of that actor?
- Tu sais où je peux trouver un bon café?Do you know where I can find a good café?
- Tu connais l'endroit idéal pour faire du shopping?Do you know the perfect place for shopping?
Example conversation
Emma and Nathan are talking about a party.
- EmmaTu sais ? Il y a une fête ce soir.Do you know? There is a party tonight.
- NathanAh non, je ne savais pas !Oh no, I didn't know!
- EmmaC'est chez Marc à vingt heures.It's at Marc's at eight o'clock.
- NathanSuper, je vais venir.Great, I will come.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
