Which one should you use?
While tu comprends ? is the informal way to ask if someone understands, you should use the formal forms Est-ce que vous comprenez ? or Comprenez-vous ? when speaking to a stranger, a superior or a group of people. For the question "did you understand?" or "have you understood?", the formal version Avez-vous compris ? is used.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
tu comprends ? is informal and should only be used with friends, family or people you address with tu. For formal situations, use Est-ce que vous comprenez ? or Comprenez-vous ? There is also a slang option, T'as pigé ?, which is very informal.
How does it change in a sentence?
In spoken French, you can form the question simply by raising the intonation of the statement Tu comprends ? instead of using complex inversion or est-ce que. If you want to ask "did you understand?" regarding a specific thing that was just said, use the passé composé tu as compris ?
When do people say it?
If someone asks if you understand, a standard way to respond affirmatively is Je comprends and a standard way to respond negatively is Je ne comprends pas.
Did you know?
- The slang term pigé comes from the verb piger, which originally meant to 'to prick' or 'to pierce'. In its modern sense, it is used to describe the moment an idea 'pierces' through your mind.
- The French word comprendre is used both for 'to understand' and 'to include', meaning the same word describes grasping a concept and containing an item.
- If you use the phrase tu comprends ? in a classroom or professional setting, you might unintentionally sound patronizing or condescending, as if you are questioning the listener's intelligence.
Examples in context
- Est-ce que vous comprenez les instructions ?Do you understand the instructions?
- Comprenez-vous l'importance de ce projet ?Do you understand the importance of this project?
- Avez-vous compris les implications de cette décision ?Did you understand the implications of this decision?
- Tu comprends pourquoi je suis inquiet ?Do you understand why I am worried?
- T'as pigé comment fonctionne l'application ?Do you understand how the app works?
- C'est un peu compliqué, tu comprends ?It's a little complicated, do you understand?
- Je t'explique la règle, tu comprends ?I'm explaining the rule to you, do you understand?
Example conversation
Hugo is explaining a new recipe to Emma in the kitchen.
- HugoIl faut mélanger le sucre et la farine.You have to mix the sugar and the flour.
- EmmaOui, j'ai bien noté.Yes, I've noted it down.
- HugoC'est clair pour toi, tu comprends ?Is it clear to you, do you understand?
- EmmaParfaitement, Hugo.Perfectly, Hugo.
