Asking questions is one of the most important skills when learning a new language — it helps you get information, start conversations, and practice your speaking. If you’re a beginner in French, don’t worry! Asking questions in French is easier than you might think. Here are some simple tips and examples to help you get started.
1. Use “Est-ce que” to Make a Yes/No Question
This is one of the easiest ways to ask questions in French. Just add “Est-ce que” at the beginning of a statement. It’s like saying “Is it that...” in English, but it works for almost any question.
Example:
-Tu parles français. (You speak French.)
-Est-ce que tu parles français ? (Do you speak French?)
2. Use Question Words for More Information
When you want to ask who, what, where, when, why, or how, use these question words:
| French | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Qui | Who | Qui est-ce ? (Who is it?) |
| Quoi / Que | What | Qu’est-ce que tu fais ? (What are you doing?) |
| Où | Where | Où habites-tu ? (Where do you live?) |
| Quand | When | Quand arrives-tu ? (When do you arrive?) |
| Pourquoi | Why | Pourquoi étudies-tu le français ? (Why do you study French?) |
| Comment | How | Comment ça va ? (How are you?) |
3. Inversion: A Formal Way to Ask Questions
In French, you can also invert the subject and the verb to make a question. This sounds a bit more formal but is very common in written and spoken French.
Example:
-Tu parles français.
-Parles-tu français ? (Do you speak French?)
4. Using Intonation: Just Raise Your Voice!
Sometimes, especially in casual conversation, you can simply say a statement with a rising intonation at the end to make it a question. It’s like when you ask “You speak French?” in English with a questioning tone.
Example:
-Tu parles français ? (spoken with rising tone)
5. Practice With Simple Questions
Try asking these easy questions to practice:
-Est-ce que tu aimes le chocolat ? (Do you like chocolate?)
-Où est la bibliothèque ? (Where is the library?)
-Comment tu t’appelles ? (What’s your name?)
-Pourquoi tu apprends le français ? (Why are you learning French?)
Quick Tips for Beginners:
1) Start with Est-ce que questions — they’re simple and clear.
2) Use question words when you want more detail.
3) Don’t worry if you don’t master inversion yet — focus on getting comfortable speaking!
4) Practice speaking out loud and listen to native speakers to get used to question intonation.
Asking questions is the key to conversation and learning. Keep practicing these simple methods, and you’ll feel more confident in no time!
Want more beginner French lessons?
Check out my Complete Beginner French Course, where I help students master French step by step.
Explore my Youtube channel here.
