Où veux-tu aller ?
The English phrase "where do you want to go?" is translated into French as Où veux-tu aller ?
This phrase is a question used to ask someone about their desired destination.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase Où veux-tu aller ? is constructed from Où (where), veux (want), tu (you) and aller (to go).
Which one should you use?
You may encounter Tu veux aller où ? in casual spoken contexts, where the question word is moved to the end.
How does it change in a sentence?
In French, you can form this question using est-ce que to create a standard question without using inversion, such as Où est-ce que tu veux aller ? When addressing a stranger, a superior or a group of people, use the formal/plural form Où voulez-vous aller ? In casual spoken French, it is common to place the question word où at the end of the sentence, resulting in Tu veux aller où ?
Did you know?
- The distinction between tu and vous in this phrase is so critical that using tu with a stranger can be perceived as a deliberate social insult.
- The accent in où is a relatively recent addition, appearing in Middle French to distinguish it from the word ou, which means 'or'.
- In French, aller is not just for movement but is used as an auxiliary verb to create the 'near future' tense, similar to using 'going to' in English.
Examples in context
- Où veux-tu aller ?Where do you want to go?
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aller, où, CC BY-SA 4.0.
