devine qui
The English phrase "guess who" is translated into French as devine qui.
devine qui is an expression used to ask someone to identify a person who is not yet visible or named.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the imperative singular form of the verb deviner (to guess) and the relative pronoun qui (who).
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are addressing more than one person or using the formal vous, you must use the form devinez qui instead of devine qui. In spoken French, it is very common to add c'est after qui to complete the thought, as in devine qui c'est.
Did you know?
- In certain linguistic theories, the word qui is sometimes considered to have an onomatopoeic origin, mimicking a sound used to capture attention.
- The French word for 'guessing' is used in the expression deviner le jeu, which means to see through someone's trick or realize what is actually happening.
- The verb deviner can be used beyond simple guessing to mean 'to divine' or 'to predict' the future.
Examples in context
- Devine qui a gagné.Guess who won.This sentence is useful for practicing the form devine qui in the context of a victory.Tatoeba #5655770 by Yemana, translation #5353342 by CK
- Devine qui je suis !Guess who I am.This sentence shows how to use devine qui when revealing one's identity.Tatoeba #4595797 by sacredceltic, translation #1776533 by Amastan
- Devine qui était ici.Guess who was here.This sentence demonstrates the use of devine qui to indicate someone's previous presence.Tatoeba #10738820 by Rovo, translation #10738623 by maaster
- Devinez qui m'a rendu visite hier soir?Guess who visited me last night?
- Devine qui est venu me voir aujourd'hui?Guess who came to see me today?
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé is surprising Gabriel with a guest.
- ChloéDevine qui arrive demain !Guess who is arriving tomorrow!
- GabrielJe ne sais pas, qui ça peut être ?I don't know, who could it be?
- ChloéDevine qui ! C'est notre cousin Marc.Guess who! It's our cousin Marc.
- GabrielC'est génial, je suis ravi !That's great, I'm delighted!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries qui, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
