Tu es en quelle classe ?
The English phrase "what grade are you in?" is translated into French as Tu es en quelle classe ?
This question is used to ask a student about their current level of schooling.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase Tu es en quelle classe ? literally translates to "You are in which class?"
Which one should you use?
You may also encounter T'es dans quelle classe? in casual speech or Dans quelle classe êtes-vous? in formal situations.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form Tu es en quelle classe ? uses the informal tu and is appropriate for peers or children. For a more formal setting, or when speaking to a student you do not know personally, use En quelle classe êtes-vous ? or Dans quelle classe êtes-vous?
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase can be inverted to a more formal structure: En quelle classe es-tu ?
Did you know?
- While classe now refers to a grade in school, its Latin root classis originally described a fleet of ships or a division of Roman citizens based on their wealth.
- While tu is used for peers, French students often use vous when speaking to a teacher, even when the teacher is asking Tu es en quelle classe ? to a student.
- In France, a student might answer with 'Je suis en sixième' instead of naming a 'grade'. The French school system uses a specific descending scale for middle school that differs significantly from the American system.
Examples in context
- Dis-moi, t'es dans quelle classe?Tell me, what grade are you in?
- Je ne sais pas, tu es en quelle classe ?I don't know, what grade are you in?
- Excuse-moi, tu es en quelle classe ?Excuse me, what grade are you in?
Example conversation
Two students meeting at a school park.
- ManonSalut Lucas, tu es en quelle classe ?Hi Lucas, what grade are you in?
- LucasJe suis en troisième, et toi Manon ?I am in ninth grade, and you Manon?
- ManonMoi, je suis en seconde.Me, I am in tenth grade.
- LucasAh, tu es plus grande que moi !Ah, you are older than me!
