question fermée de confirmation
The English phrase "tag question" is translated into French as question fermée de confirmation.
The term refers to a short question added to the end of a statement to seek confirmation or agreement from the listener.
Did you know?
- In casual spoken French, the formal n'est-ce pas is often replaced by non, which functions as a tag question meaning 'right' rather than a simple 'no'.
- In very informal French, speakers may bypass the question fermée de confirmation entirely by using the word hein at the end of a sentence to seek agreement.
- Depending on the intonation, a French speaker can turn a statement into a question fermée de confirmation simply by raising the pitch at the end of the sentence without adding any words.
Examples in context
- Vous êtes français, n'est-ce pas?You are French, aren't you?
- Vous n'êtes pas fatigué, n'est-ce pas?You are not tired, are you?
- Il fait beau, tu vois?The weather is nice, you see?
- Tu sais-tu nager?Can you swim?
Example conversation
Hugo is asking Chloé for help with her French grammar homework.
- HugoChloé, c'est quoi une question fermée de confirmation ?Chloé, what is a tag question?
- ChloéC'est pour demander l'accord de l'autre personne.It is to ask for the other person's agreement.
- HugoComme quand on dit 'n'est-ce pas' à la fin ?Like when we say 'isn't it' at the end?
- ChloéOui, c'est exactement ça, Hugo !Yes, that is exactly it, Hugo!
