Greetings! If you’re curious about how to ask someone “What did you do?” in French, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we will cover both formal and informal ways to ask this question, providing you with various tips and examples along the way. So, let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Ask “What Did You Do?”
TIP: Formal language is generally used when addressing individuals you are not well acquainted with or when speaking to someone in a professional setting.
1. Que avez-vous fait?
In formal French, the most straightforward way to ask “What did you do?” is “Que avez-vous fait?” This sentence uses the formal second person pronoun “vous” and the past tense of the verb “faire,” which means “to do.” Here are a couple of examples to help you understand:
- Formal: Que avez-vous fait hier soir? (What did you do last night?)
- Formal: Que avez-vous fait pendant vos vacances? (What did you do during your holidays?)
2. Qu’avez-vous accompli?
If you want to express a sense of achievement or accomplishment in a more formal context, you can use the verb “accomplir,” which means “to accomplish.” Here’s an example of how you can ask “What did you accomplish?” formally:
- Formal: Qu’avez-vous accompli ce mois-ci? (What did you accomplish this month?)
Informal Ways to Ask “What Did You Do?”
TIP: Informal language is commonly used when speaking to friends, family members, or in casual settings.
1. Qu’est-ce que tu as fait?
In informal French, the most commonly used way to ask “What did you do?” is “Qu’est-ce que tu as fait?” This sentence uses the informal second person pronoun “tu” and the past tense of the verb “faire.” Take a look at these examples:
- Informal: Qu’est-ce que tu as fait hier soir? (What did you do last night?)
- Informal: Qu’est-ce que tu as fait pendant tes vacances? (What did you do during your holidays?))
2. Qu’as-tu réalisé?
In informal settings, if you want to convey a sense of achievement or accomplishment, you can use the verb “réaliser,” which means “to achieve” or “to accomplish.” Here’s an example of how you can ask “What did you accomplish?” informally:
- Informal: Qu’as-tu réalisé ce mois-ci? (What did you accomplish this month?)
Regional Variations
TIP: French is spoken in various regions, and there might be slight differences in the way people express this question. However, the phrases above are widely understood across French-speaking regions.
Summary
Whether you’re using formal or informal language, asking “What did you do?” in French can be easy once you familiarize yourself with the right expressions. Remember, when speaking formally, opt for “Que avez-vous fait?” or “Qu’avez-vous accompli?” In informal situations, use “Qu’est-ce que tu as fait?” or “Qu’as-tu réalisé?” Practice these phrases with different contexts and expand your French conversation skills.
We hope this guide has been helpful to you on your language journey. Best of luck as you continue to learn and explore the beautiful language of French!
