qui es-tu ?
qui es-tu ? is the French way to say 'who are you?'
This phrase is a question used to ask for the identity of a person.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of qui (who), es (are, second person singular of être) and tu (you, singular informal).
Which one should you use?
Qui es-tu ? uses the informal tu and is appropriate for children, peers or close friends. In contrast, Qui êtes-vous ? is used to ask 'Who are you?' in a formal or plural context.
How does it change in a sentence?
While Qui es-tu ? uses inversion, in casual spoken French, the subject-verb-question word order Tu es qui ? (meaning 'You are who?') is often used.
Did you know?
- In French, asking Qui es-tu ? to a stranger can be perceived as aggressive or confrontational rather than curious. It is often used in literature or film when a character is startled by an intruder.
- When answering Qui es-tu ?, a French speaker might simply say C'est moi ('It is me') instead of Je suis… ('I am…').
- The word qui may have an onomatopoeic origin, suggesting it was once a sound used to capture attention or signify a presence.
Examples in context
- Je ne te connais pas, qui es-tu ?I don't know you, who are you?
Example conversation
Manon answers a call from an unknown number.
- ManonAllô ? Qui es-tu ?Hello? Who are you?
- NathanC'est Nathan, ton voisin.It's Nathan, your neighbor.
- ManonAh, salut Nathan !Oh, hi Nathan!
- NathanSalut Manon !Hi Manon!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries qui, CC BY-SA 4.0.
