Lesson 1.3: Question Words
Lesson Overview
In this lesson, you will learn how to ask essential questions in French using common question words like “quoi” (what), “quand” (when), and “pourquoi” (why). These words are vital for forming basic questions in everyday conversations.
Grammar Tip 1: Word Order in Questions
In French, the word order in questions is usually Verb + Subject or follows the structure:
Question Word + Verb + Subject
Example: “Que fais-tu?” (What are you doing?)
Grammar Tip 2: Using “Quel” (Which) in Questions
The word “quel” means “which” and is used to ask for a specific choice from a set. It changes its form according to the gender and number of the noun it refers to.
Example: “Quel film veux-tu regarder?” (Which movie do you want to watch?)
Grammar Tip 3: Difference Between “Combien” (How Many/How Much)
The word “combien” is used both for “how many” (when referring to countable things) and “how much” (for uncountable things).
Example (How many): “Combien d’amis as-tu?” (How many friends do you have?)
Example (How much): “Combien ça coûte?” (How much does this cost?)
Example Sentences:
- Que fais-tu ? (What are you doing?)
- Quand rentrons-nous à la maison ? (When are we going home?)
- Où vas-tu ? (Where are you going?)
- Quel est ton couleur préféré ? (Which is your favorite color?)
- Comment te sens-tu ? (How do you feel?)
- Qui est-ce ? (Who is this?)
- Pourquoi es-tu en retard ? (Why are you late?)
- Combien de livres as-tu ? (How many books do you have?)
- Combien ça coûte ? (How much does this cost?)
These question words and structures are essential for forming everyday questions in French, making it easier to communicate effectively in various situations.