as-tu
In French, "have you" is expressed as as-tu.
This phrase is used to ask a question regarding whether someone possesses something or has performed an action.
What does it mean word for word?
The form as-tu is composed of the conjugated second-person singular form of avoir (to have) and the subject pronoun tu (you).
Which one should you use?
Speakers often use the statement tu as with rising intonation in casual spoken French. You can also use the construction Est-ce que tu as to turn a statement into a question informally.
How does it change in a sentence?
When addressing a single person formally or a group of people, the form changes to avez-vous. In casual spoken French, the question is often expressed simply by using the statement tu as with rising intonation instead of the inverted as-tu.
Did you know?
- If you use as-tu to ask about someone's age, you are technically correct. Unlike English where you 'are' a certain age, in French, you 'have' years, so you would ask as-tu… ans?
- While as-tu asks about possession, the phrase as-tu faim means 'are you hungry'. In French, hunger, thirst, and cold are things you 'have' rather than things you 'are'.
- The pronoun tu used in as-tu carries a heavy social weight. Using it with a stranger or a superior instead of avez-vous is a phenomenon known as 'tutoiement' and can be perceived as a breach of etiquette or even an insult.
Examples in context
- Où as-tu été ?Where have you been?This sentence is useful for asking about a past location with as-tu.Tatoeba #1845470 by sacredceltic, translation #6026 by CK
- As-tu un ami ?Have you got a boyfriend?This sentence is useful for asking about possession with as-tu.Tatoeba #8302545 by felix63, translation #10716445 by sundown
- As-tu un reçu ?Have you a receipt?This sentence is useful for asking about a receipt with as-tu.Tatoeba #397450 by sysko, translation #397449 by sysko
- Avez-vous un stylo ?Do you have a pen?
- Possédez-vous une voiture ?Do you have a car?
- Tu as un animal de compagnie ?Do you have a pet?
- Est-ce que tu as déjà visité Paris ?Have you ever visited Paris?
- Avez-vous des enfants ?Do you have children?
- Avez-vous terminé votre travail ?Have you finished your work?
- Avez-vous de la monnaie ?Do you have change?
- Tu as faim ?Are you hungry?
- Tu as un nouveau téléphone ?Do you have a new phone?
- Est-ce que tu as vu ce film ?Have you seen this movie?
- 946 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Léa are looking for a specific book.
- NathanAs-tu le livre de cuisine ?Do you have the cookbook?
- LéaNon, je ne le trouve pas.No, I can't find it.
- NathanAs-tu regardé sur l'étagère ?Have you looked on the shelf?
- LéaOui, il n'est pas là.Yes, it's not there.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
