Bienvenue! If you’re interested in learning how to ask someone about their birthdate in French, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we will explore various ways to inquire about someone’s birthdate in both formal and informal settings. We’ll also provide tips, examples, and address any regional variations that may exist.
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Ask “When Were You Born?” in French
1. Quelle est votre date de naissance ?
In formal situations, it’s important to use the polite form of address. An appropriate way to inquire about someone’s birthdate is to ask, “Quelle est votre date de naissance?” which translates to “What is your date of birth?”
Example:
Excusez-moi, monsieur. Quelle est votre date de naissance ?
Note: Remember to use “votre” when addressing someone formally. Use “votre” for singular and plural, male and female.
2. Pouvez-vous me donner votre date de naissance ?
Another polite way to ask for someone’s birthdate is by saying, “Pouvez-vous me donner votre date de naissance ?” which means “Can you give me your date of birth?”
Example:
Madame, pouvez-vous me donner votre date de naissance ?
3. Pourriez-vous indiquer votre année de naissance ?
If you wish to specify the year of birth, you can ask, “Pourriez-vous indiquer votre année de naissance ?” This means “Could you indicate your year of birth?”
Example:
Excusez-moi, mademoiselle. Pourriez-vous indiquer votre année de naissance ?
Informal Ways to Ask “When Were You Born?” in French
1. Quand est-ce que tu/es né(e) ?
When speaking informally to a friend, family member, or someone your age, you can use the phrase “Quand est-ce que tu/es né(e) ?” to ask “When were you born?”
Example:
Salut! Quand est-ce que tu es né ?
Note: Use “tu” when addressing a single person informally. If you need to address multiple people informally, use “vous.”
2. Ta date de naissance, c’est quand ?
Another casual way to ask someone’s birthdate is to say, “Ta date de naissance, c’est quand ?” This means “When is your date of birth?”
Example:
Hé, c’est quoi ta date de naissance ?
3. Quelle est ton année de naissance ?
To inquire about someone’s birth year informally, you can ask, “Quelle est ton année de naissance ?” which translates to “What is your year of birth?”
Example:
Dites, quelle est ton année de naissance ?
Tips for Asking about Someone’s Birthdate
1. Be Polite and Consider Context
When asking about someone’s birthdate, it’s crucial to consider the setting and the relationship you have with the person. Adapting your language accordingly will ensure appropriate communication.
2. Pay Attention to Pronouns
Use “tu” when addressing a single person informally and “vous” when addressing multiple people informally or someone formally. The correct pronoun choice is important for maintaining appropriate levels of politeness.
3. Adjust for Gender
Be mindful of the gender of the person you’re speaking to when choosing article and adjective agreement. For formal situations, use “votre” regardless of gender. In informal situations, use “ta” for singular female, “ton” for singular male, “vos” for multiple females, and “vos” for multiple males or mixed groups.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You’ve now learned several ways to ask “When were you born?” in French. Remember to adapt your phrases depending on the formality of the situation and the relationship with the person you’re speaking to. Pay attention to pronouns and gender agreement, and most importantly, be polite and respectful throughout your conversations. Practice these phrases and enjoy engaging with French speakers on a whole new level!
