What does it mean word for word?
The phrase Tu vas dans quelle école ? literally translates to "You go in which school?"
Which one should you use?
While the default form is common, you can also say Tu vas à quelle école ? by replacing the preposition dans (in) with à (to). To address more than one person or to speak to a single person using the formal vous address, use Vous allez dans quelle école ? instead of Tu vas dans quelle école ?
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form Tu vas dans quelle école ? uses a statement-like word order, which is typical for casual, spoken French. For a more formal tone, you can use inversion by placing the verb before the subject, as in Dans quelle école vas-tu ? If you are stating which school you attend in a formal way, you can say Je fréquente l'école [school name].
How does it change in a sentence?
It is a common and correct variation to replace the preposition dans (in) with à (to), resulting in the question Tu vas à quelle école ?
What mistakes should you avoid?
Because école is a feminine noun, you must use the feminine form quelle rather than the masculine quel. Avoid saying Quel école ?
Did you know?
- The word école comes from the Ancient Greek word skholḗ, which originally meant 'leisure' or 'free time'.
- French students often refer to their school as mon bahut, a slang term that avoids the formal word école.
- In France, the answer to Tu vas dans quelle école ? might be a 'lycée' if the student is in high school, as French schools are strictly categorized by age.
Examples in context
- Dis-moi, tu vas dans quelle école ?Tell me, what school do you go to?
Example conversation
Two teenagers meet at a park.
- ManonSalut ! Tu vas dans quelle école ?Hi! What school do you go to?
- NathanJe vais au lycée Victor Hugo.I go to Victor Hugo high school.
- ManonC'est super, j'adore cet établissement.That's great, I love that school.
- NathanMerci, Nathan est aussi dans ma classe.Thanks, Nathan is also in my class.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dans, tu, vas, école, CC BY-SA 4.0.
