tu me comprends ?
The English phrase 'do you understand me?' is translated into French as tu me comprends ?
This phrase is used to ask if someone grasps the meaning of what you are saying. Other variations include Est-ce que vous me comprenez ? for 'Do you understand me?', Comprenez-vous ce que je dis ? for 'Do you understand what I'm saying?' and Captes-tu ce que je dis ? for 'Do you get what I'm saying?' You can also ask Est-ce que c'est clair ? to mean 'Is it clear?'
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase tu me comprends ? is built from the subject tu (you), the object pronoun me (me) and the verb comprends (understand).
Which one should you use?
The default form tu me comprends ? is used for friends, family or people younger than you. In contrast, vous me comprenez ? is used for formal situations.
How does it change in a sentence?
When addressing a stranger, a superior or a group of people, use the formal/plural form vous me comprenez ?
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly place the object pronoun after the verb, but in French, me must come before the verb comprends.
Did you know?
- The slang version Captes-tu ce que je dis ? comes from the verb capter, which literally means 'to pick up a signal' or 'to tune in' like a radio.
- The verb comprendre is used for both 'to understand' and 'to include', meaning the phrase Je comprends tout could technically mean 'I understand everything' or 'I include everything'.
- The informal pronoun tu is an ancient word with cognates in Italian tu, German du and Russian ты that all share the same specific usage.
Examples in context
- C'est important, tu me comprends ?It is important, do you understand me?
- Je parle trop vite, tu me comprends ?I am speaking too fast, do you understand me?
- Ne fais pas ça, tu me comprends ?Don't do that, do you understand me?
Example conversation
Emma is explaining a complex task to Lucas.
- EmmaIl faut faire attention aux détails, tu me comprends ?You have to pay attention to the details, do you understand me?
- LucasOui Emma, je te comprends parfaitement.Yes Emma, I understand you perfectly.
- EmmaTrès bien, commence maintenant.Very well, start now.
- LucasD'accord, je m'en occupe.Okay, I'll take care of it.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries me, tu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
