pourquoi tu
The English phrase "why do you" is translated into French as pourquoi tu.
This phrase is a question used to ask for the reason behind someone's actions or thoughts. In close relationships, if you want to add more depth to a question, you might use the expression Qu'est-ce qui te pousse à, which translates to "What drives you to".
Which one should you use?
The phrase pourquoi tu is a casual way to ask a question. For a more complete and standard sound in spoken French, you can use pourquoi est-ce que tu, which means "why is it that you". For very formal situations, you can use Quelle est la raison pour laquelle vous, meaning "What is the reason why you".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
pourquoi tu is an informal way to ask "why do you" and is used with friends, family or peers. Use pourquoi est-ce que tu for a standard tone, and use Quelle est la raison pour laquelle vous to show a high level of formality.
How does it change in a sentence?
To ask "why don't you" in a negative sense, place the negation ne… pas around the conjugated verb that follows tu (for example: pourquoi tu ne… pas).
Did you know?
- The word tu shares the same ancient Proto-Indo-European roots as the German 'du' and the Russian 'ты'.
- In French, the word pourquoi can be used as a noun meaning 'the reason' or 'the why' of a situation.
- While pourquoi tu is common in speech, writing a question without inverting the subject and verb is technically a grammatical error in traditional French.
Examples in context
- Pourquoi tu étudies ?Why do you study?This sentence is useful for practicing the form pourquoi tu in the context of studying.Tatoeba #1135516 by nimfeo, translation #36476 by CK
- Pourquoi tu veux ça ?Why do you want this?This sentence is useful for practicing the form pourquoi tu in the context of wanting something.Tatoeba #8098842 by felix63, translation #3819765 by CK
- Pourquoi tu m'en veux ?Why do you resent me?This sentence is useful for practicing the form pourquoi tu in the context of resentment.Tatoeba #11950461 by lbdx, translation #3822513 by CK
- Pourquoi faites-vous cela ?Why do you do that?
- Quelle est la raison pour laquelle vous êtes toujours en retard ?What is the reason why you are always late?
- Pourquoi tu manges autant de chocolat ?Why do you eat so much chocolate?
- 20 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Gabriel are talking in their kitchen.
- ManonPourquoi tu ris ?Why are you laughing?
- GabrielParce que je pense à une blague.Because I am thinking of a joke.
- ManonDis-moi la blague alors.Tell me the joke then.
- GabrielPas maintenant, Manon.Not now, Manon.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pourquoi, tu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
