What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the conjunction et (and) and the stressed pronoun toi (you).
Which one should you use?
While Et toi ? is the standard informal way to ask "how about you?", you should use Et vous ? when speaking to a stranger, a superior or a group of people. Additionally, Et de votre côté ? can be used as a formal way to say "And on your side?"
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Et toi ? is an informal expression. For formal situations, use Et vous ? or Et de votre côté ? Among informal options, you can also say Et de ton côté ?
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Québec, the informal expression Et toi ? is often replaced with Pis toi? In France, some people use the colloquial expression Et toi, ça roule? to mean "How about you, everything going smoothly?"
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase Et toi ? uses the stressed pronoun toi because it follows the conjunction et without a verb.
Did you know?
- The 't' in et was actually a scholarly addition. In Old French, the word was written simply as e, but 12th-century scholars re-inserted the 't' to more closely mimic its Latin ancestor.
- In France, the casual expression Et toi, ça roule ? uses a verb meaning 'to roll' to ask if someone's life is moving along smoothly.
- In Québec, the phrase Pis toi ? uses the word pis, which is a phonetic contraction of puis meaning 'then'. This turns 'how about you' into something closer to 'and then you?'
Examples in context
- J'ai faim. Et toi ?I'm hungry. How about you?This sentence shows how to use Et toi ? when asking about someone's physical state.Tatoeba #9167299 by simias, translation #2354171 by Hybrid
- Je suis un Russe, et toi ?I'm Russian, how about you?This sentence shows how to use Et toi ? when asking about someone's nationality.Tatoeba #13493711 by Rovo, translation #13485998 by rul
- Je suis bien, et toi ?I'm fine. How about you?This sentence shows how to use Et toi ? when asking about someone's well-being.Tatoeba #872224 by japegon, translation #239427 by CM
- Bonjour, comment ça va? Et vous?Hello, how are you? And you?
- Comment se passe votre journée? Et de votre côté?How is your day going? And on your side?
- Salut! Comment ça va? Et toi?Hi! How are you? And you?
- J'ai toujours eu un fort intérêt pour le domaine du marketing. Et vous ?I've always had a strong interest in the marketing field. And you?
- Non, mais j'aimerais beaucoup y aller! Et toi?No, but I would love to go! And you?
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Lucas are discussing their weekend plans.
- LéaJe vais au cinéma samedi. Et toi ?I am going to the cinema on Saturday. How about you?
- LucasJe vais rester à la maison.I am going to stay at home.
- LéaC'est dommage ! Tu es fatigué ?That's a shame! Are you tired?
- LucasOui, j'ai beaucoup travaillé.Yes, I worked a lot.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries et, toi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
