Bonjour! If you’re looking to expand your French vocabulary, learning how to say “who” is a great place to start. In this guide, we’ll cover both formal and informal ways to say “who” in French, and provide you with various tips and examples along the way. So, whether you’re planning a trip to France or simply eager to communicate more effectively, let’s dive right in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “Who”
When you need to use a more polite or formal approach, consider the following options:
1. Qui
The most common and formal way to say “who” in French is “qui.” It’s versatile and can be used as a subject or object pronoun. Take a look at these examples:
Qui a réservé une table pour ce soir ?
Who made a reservation for tonight?
Je me demande qui va venir à la fête.
I wonder who is going to come to the party.
2. Qui est-ce qui
To express “who” as the subject of a sentence, you can also use the slightly more formal phrase “qui est-ce qui.” Notice that “qui est-ce qui” is followed by the verb:
Qui est-ce qui a appelé ce matin ?
Who called this morning?
Informal Ways to Say “Who”
Now, let’s explore some more casual or informal options:
1. Qui c’est
One informal way to say “who” is by using the contraction “qui c’est” (short for “qui est-ce”). This is commonly used in spoken French:
Qui c’est ce garçon ?
Who is that boy?
2. C’est qui
An alternative informal expression is “c’est qui.” This is a more straightforward way to ask “who” and is often used in everyday conversations:
C’est qui ton prof de français ?
Who is your French teacher?
Tips and Tricks
Now that you’re familiar with the different ways to say “who,” here are some additional tips to help you navigate the usage:
1. Pay Attention to the Order of Words
In French, the subject pronoun generally comes after the verb, unlike in English where it typically comes before. For example:
Qui est-ce qui parle là-bas ?
Who is talking over there?
2. Use Context as a Guide
Sometimes, French sentences omit the subject pronoun “qui” altogether when the context is clear. By paying attention to the surrounding words, you can often gather the intended meaning easily:
Tu attends qui ?
Who are you waiting for?
3. Regional Variations
It’s worth noting that various French-speaking regions might employ their own expressions to say “who” informally. While not essential for basic communication, here’s an example from Quebec:
C’est qui, là ?
Who’s that?
Practice Makes Perfect
Learning how to say “who” in French is just the beginning. The more you practice, the more fluent and confident you’ll become. Use these examples as a foundation and try constructing your own sentences using “qui” or its alternatives. Additionally, consider engaging in conversations with native French speakers or using language learning platforms to further improve your skills.
Au revoir et bonne chance! Goodbye and good luck!
