In any language, being able to ask questions is key. In French, whether you're asking who someone is, where something is happening, or why something happened, you need these question words. From casual everyday questions to formal structured exchanges, they're key vocabulary for any learner. Here, we'll cover the key question words in French, how to ask questions properly, and how to pronounce them.
Introduction to French Question Words
French question words or mots interrogatifs are used to request information. This information can be a complex answer or a simple yes-or-no. As they appear in almost every type of exchange, from casual spoken French to formal written communication, you have to master them as early as you can in your language learning journey, regardless of the month or season.
What Are French Question Words?
Question words in French are used when you want something other than a yes or no answer. They're the French equivalent of the English question words like "who", "what", "where", and "why". These words: qui, que, quoi, où, quand, and comment help you identify people, places, times, reasons, and methods. There are specific rules for their placement and usage, and you can use them to make better and more accurate French sentences and questions. They'll also help you much more in conversation since they're commonly used at all levels.
French question words, also called interrogatives, help you ask for specific information. Words like qui, que, quoi, où, quand, comment, and pourquoi let you form clear, direct questions in French. When you know these interrogative words, you can ask who someone is, what something means, where you’re going, why something happened, and how to do something.
Why Learning French Interrogatives Matters
Knowing the French question words allows you to take your language skills from memorised phrases and start participating in conversations. When you understand how or why to use them, you can ask meaningful questions. Not only that, but they're key to gaining more information in conversations, clearing up misunderstandings, and building confidence in French in everything from asking when something is happening, provided you know the days of the week, to where something is.
They also help you build more natural and accurate sentence structures, follow conversations, ask for help, and interact with native French speakers in a range of everyday situations. By mastering interrogatives, you'll sound more fluent and feel more in control when using the French language.
The Essential French Question Words
There's a core set of question words in French that every learner should know. Each one serves a key purpose and can be used to ask for specific information about people, places, reasons, methods, and more. These words can sometimes behave differently depending on where they appear in a sentence and have some rules attached to them. You can't just learn these and replace the English words with them; you have to know how to use them naturally. There aren't many of them, but if you know your numbers in French, you'll know that even seemingly basic things can get quite complicated in a foreign language.
key French question words that you should learn.
QUI — “Who”
QUE / QUOI — “What”
OÙ — “Where”
QUAND — “When”
POURQUOI — “Why”
COMMENT — “How”
COMBIEN — “How Many / How Much”
LEQUEL / LAQUELLE — “Which”
How to Form Questions in French
The structure you choose to form a question in French dictates how formal your question is. From simply changing your intonation to using a particular structure, each method has its time and place. You mightn't use a formal structure with your friends, but you might ask a formal question about parts of your body if talking to a doctor. Here's a quick explanation of how to use them.
French questions can be formed in three main ways: by using rising intonation, by adding est-ce que to a statement, or by using subject–verb inversion. Each method changes the tone and formality of the question. Beginners usually start with est-ce que, while more advanced learners use inversion in writing or formal situations.
key ways to ask questions in French.
Method 1 — Using Intonation
- How it works: Take a normal statement and raise your voice at the end.
- When to use it: Informal speech, quick yes/no questions.
- Formula: Statement + rising intonation?
- Examples: Tu viens ? / Vous êtes prêts ?
- Tip: Perfect for speaking, but rarely used in writing.
Method 2 — Using “Est-ce que”
- How it works: Add est-ce que to the start of a statement without changing word order.
- When to use it: Neutral, clear, everyday questions — ideal for beginners.
- Formula: Est-ce que + subject + verb… ?
- Examples: Est-ce que tu comprends ? / Est-ce que vous travaillez ici ?
- Tip: Use est-ce qu’ before a vowel.
Method 3 — Using Inversion
- How it works: Swap the subject and verb, adding a hyphen.
- When to use it: Formal writing, polite conversation, or emphasis.
- Formula: Verb–subject ? or Noun + verb–subject ?
- Examples: Parlez-vous ? / Marie vient-elle ?
- Tip: Add a “t” between vowels: a-t-il ?
Some French question words can be confusing, especially que vs quoi, or the different forms of lequel and laquelle. Que tends to appear at the start of a question, while quoi is often used at the end or after a preposition. Lequel changes depending on gender and number. Understanding these minor differences helps you ask questions more naturally.
Hear the Question Words Used in Real Sentences
This short lesson reviews the most common French question words, explains when to use qui, quoi, comment, and pourquoi, and demonstrates real example sentences. It’s an excellent refresher for pronunciation and natural spoken usage.
Question Words, Meanings, and Examples
| French Question Word | English Meaning | Example Sentence (French) | Example Sentence (English) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qui | Who | Qui est là ? | Who is there? |
| Que | What | Que fais-tu ? | What are you doing? |
| Quoi | What (informal/after prep) | Tu fais quoi ? | What are you doing? |
| Où | Where | Où vas-tu ? | Where are you going? |
| Quand | When | Quand est-ce que tu arrives ? | When are you arriving? |
| Pourquoi | Why | Pourquoi tu pars ? | Why are you leaving? |
| Comment | How | Comment ça marche ? | How does this work? |
| Combien | How much / how many | Combien ça coûte ? | How much does it cost? |
| Lequel / Laquelle | Which | Lequel veux-tu ? | Which one do you want? |
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