How to Say “Why Are You Like This?” in French

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Pourquoi es-tu comme ça ?
The English phrase 'why are you like this?' is translated into French as Pourquoi es-tu comme ça ?
This phrase is used to ask a question that expresses frustration or confusion regarding someone's strange or annoying behavior.

Which one should you use?

The forms differ based on the level of formality and the number of people being addressed. Pourquoi es-tu comme ça ? is the standard form. Pourquoi tu es comme ça ? and Pourquoi t'es comme ça ? are informal versions. For formal contexts or when addressing more than one person, use Pourquoi êtes-vous comme ça ? or Comment se fait-il que vous soyez ainsi ?

Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?

The default form Pourquoi es-tu comme ça ? is standard and uses inversion, which is the standard way to form a question in written or formal French. The informal version Pourquoi tu es comme ça ? drops inversion, while the casual Pourquoi t'es comme ça ? features contracted subjects and verbs. For formal situations or to address a group, use Pourquoi êtes-vous comme ça ? or Comment se fait-il que vous soyez ainsi ?

How does it change in a sentence?

In the standard form Pourquoi es-tu comme ça ?, the verb and subject are inverted to form a question. When addressing a single person in a formal context or addressing multiple people, the vous form Pourquoi êtes-vous comme ça ? must be used.

Did you know?

  • The word pourquoi originates from the Old French por quoi, which literally translates to 'for what'.
  • The word ça is a contraction of cela, which literally means 'that'. While English speakers say 'like this', the French phrasing implies the person is 'like that'.
  • The informal contraction t'es is so common in this phrase that using the full tu es in a casual setting can sometimes make a speaker sound overly emphatic or accusatory.

Examples in context

  • Pourquoi êtes-vous comme ça ? J'aimerais comprendre.
    Why are you like this? I would like to understand.
  • Pourquoi tu es comme ça ? Tu peux te comporter différemment.
    Why are you like this? You can behave differently.
  • Comment se fait-il que vous soyez ainsi ? Vous pouvez peut-être expliquer votre attitude.
    How is it that you are like this? You can perhaps explain your attitude.
  • Pourquoi es-tu comme ça ? C'est insupportable !
    Why are you like this? It's unbearable!
  • Arrête de bouder, pourquoi es-tu comme ça ?
    Stop sulking, why are you like this?
  • Tu m'énerves, pourquoi es-tu comme ça ?
    You're annoying me, why are you like this?

Example conversation

Nathan and Léa are arguing about a trivial matter.

  1. Nathan

    Pourquoi es-tu comme ça ?
    Why are you like this?
  2. Léa

    Je suis juste fatiguée, Nathan.
    I am just tired, Nathan.
  3. Nathan

    Mais tu es vraiment difficile aujourd'hui.
    But you are being really difficult today.
  4. Léa

    Laisse-moi tranquille.
    Leave me alone.

Sources

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Claire Holly
Claire HollyHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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