tu comprends
In French, "you understand" is translated as tu comprends.
This phrase is used to check if the listener follows or agrees with what is being said. You can turn the statement into a question by using a rising intonation at the end of the sentence, as in Tu comprends ? Another standard way to form a question is to add Est-ce que to the beginning, resulting in Est-ce que tu comprends ?
Which one should you use?
While tu comprends is the informal way to say "you understand," vous comprenez is used when addressing a group of people or when being polite to a single person. To ask "Did you understand?" in a formal context, you can use Est-ce que vous avez compris?
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Parisian dialect, the informal expression Tu captes? is used among friends to ask "Do you understand?"
How does it change in a sentence?
When addressing more than one person or being polite to a single person, use the form vous comprenez instead of tu comprends.
Did you know?
- While tu comprends is the standard way to ask if someone follows, the slang term capter literally means 'to capture' or 'to pick up a signal', like a radio or cell phone.
- In French, the distinction between tu comprends and vous comprenez is so strict that using tu with a stranger or boss can be perceived as a deliberate insult or a sign of aggression.
- French speakers sometimes use the phrase Tu vois ? (literally 'You see?') as a synonym for Tu comprends ? when checking if the listener is following a mental image or a logical point.
Examples in context
- Je sais que tu comprends.I know you understand.This sentence uses the form tu comprends to express certainty about someone's understanding.Tatoeba #7526505 by tras, translation #2376612 by CK
- Tu comprends les risques.You understand the risks.This sentence uses the form tu comprends to describe understanding specific risks.Tatoeba #8485564 by Aiji, translation #1655834 by AlanF_US
- Tu comprends maintenant ?Now do you understand?This sentence uses the form tu comprends as a question to check for current comprehension.Tatoeba #9014430 by Micsmithel, translation #2260666 by Amastan
- Excusez-moi, avez-vous compris les instructions présentées lors de la réunion?Excuse me, did you understand the instructions presented during the meeting?
- Est-ce que vous avez compris les termes et conditions de ce contrat?Did you understand the terms and conditions of this contract?
- Tu comprends pourquoi j'ai besoin de faire cela?Do you understand why I need to do this?
- On se retrouve à 20 heures devant le cinéma. T'as pigé?We'll meet at 8 PM in front of the cinema. Did you get it?
- J'ai expliqué le jeu plusieurs fois, tu captes maintenant?I explained the game several times, do you understand now?
- J'ai dit qu'on se retrouve à la poutineerie. Tu piges?I said we're meeting at the poutine shop. Do you understand?
- 46 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Chloé are discussing a complex set of instructions for a project.
- HugoC'est une étape un peu compliquée, tu comprends ?It is a bit of a complicated step, you understand?
- ChloéOui, je vois tout à fait ce que tu veux dire.Yes, I see exactly what you mean.
- HugoParfait, alors on peut passer à la suite.Perfect, so we can move on to the next part.
- ChloéTrès bien, je suis prête.Very well, I am ready.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
