quand est-ce que tu
The English phrase "when do you" is translated into French as quand est-ce que tu.
This phrase is used to ask someone at what time or when a specific event occurs.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, quand est-ce que tu translates to "when is it that you".
Which one should you use?
The phrase quand est-ce que tu is used for questions, whereas quand tu (without est-ce que) is typically used in statements or subordinate clauses.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
quand est-ce que tu is an informal way to say "when do you". For a formal situation, or when addressing more than one person, use quand est-ce que vous. In casual spoken French, you can often omit est-ce que and simply say quand followed by the subject and verb.
How does it change in a sentence?
The que in est-ce que elides to qu' when the following word begins with a vowel or a silent h.
Did you know?
- The word tu is a distant relative of the English word 'you'. Both trace back to the Proto-Indo-European root *túh₂, making them ancient cognates.
- In very rapid, casual spoken French, the quand in quand est-ce que tu can sometimes sound like qu'est-ce que, leading to potential confusion with the phrase 'what is it that'.
Examples in context
- Quand est-ce que tu dois partir ?When do you have to leave?This sentence is useful for using quand est-ce que tu to ask about a necessity.Tatoeba #8286864 by Aiji, translation #3823094 by CK
- Quand est-ce que tu travailles ton piano ?When do you practice the piano?This sentence is useful for using quand est-ce que tu to ask about a routine or practice.Tatoeba #640054 by qdii, translation #70199 by CK
- Quand est-ce que tu bois du café ?When do you drink coffee?This sentence is useful for using quand est-ce que tu to ask about a habit.Tatoeba #956947 by alexmarcelo, translation #687506 by lukaszpp
- Quand est-ce que vous allez au restaurant?When do you go to the restaurant?
- À quelle heure vous allez à la réunion?At what time do you go to the meeting?
- Quand est-ce que vous sortez ce soir?When do you go out tonight?
- À quelle heure tu vas au cinéma?At what time do you go to the movies?
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Nathan are talking about their weekend plans.
- ManonQuand est-ce que tu arrives à la fête ?When do you arrive at the party?
- NathanJe serai là vers huit heures.I will be there around eight o'clock.
- ManonParfait, on t'attendera.Perfect, we will wait for you.
- NathanÀ samedi alors !See you Saturday then!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries quand, que, tu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
