tu comprends le français
The phrase "do you understand french" is translated into French as tu comprends le français.
This phrase is a question used to ask if someone has the ability to speak or comprehend the French language.
Which one should you use?
The form tu comprends le français is used for friends, family or children, whereas vous comprenez le français is used for formal situations. For a more direct inquiry into someone's capability, you can use Êtes-vous capable de comprendre le français ?, which translates to "Are you capable of understanding French?"
How does it change in a sentence?
To turn the statement into a question, it is very common to add Est-ce que to the beginning of the sentence, as seen in Est-ce que tu comprends le français ? When speaking to a stranger, a superior or a group of people, you should use the formal/polite form vous comprenez le français.
Did you know?
- In France, using tu comprends instead of vous comprenez with a stranger or a superior can be perceived as a sign of aggression or a lack of respect.
- The word français is actually a derivative of the word for 'Frank', referring to the Germanic tribe that conquered Gaul. This means that to say you speak 'French' is etymologically to say you speak the language of the 'Franks'.
- In very informal settings, instead of using the 'est-ce que' construction, a speaker might use rising intonation at the end of a statement to turn tu comprends le français into a question. This relies entirely on the pitch of your voice to signal the question.
Examples in context
- Si tu comprends le français, aide-moi.If you understand French, help me.
- Je ne sais pas si tu comprends le français.I don't know if you understand French.
Example conversation
Manon is talking to Lucas about a book.
- ManonRegarde ce livre, tu comprends le français ?Look at this book, do you understand French?
- LucasOui, je comprends un peu.Yes, I understand a little.
- ManonC'est super, tu peux m'aider ?That's great, can you help me?
- LucasBien sûr, Manon.Of course, Manon.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries français, le, tu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
