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Phone message in French (#170) »

Undoing textbook language when speaking informally (#169)

18 March 2011 by OffQc

In entry #153, you saw that the question
Quelle heure est-il?

can be asked informally as
Il est quelle heure?

In entry #157, you saw that the question
Quel temps fait-il?

can be asked informally as
Quel temps il fait?

Here’s another bookish-sounding question you might want to consider undoing:

D’où viens-tu?
can be asked informally as
Tu viens d’où? or
Tu viens d’où, toi?*

The questions quelle heure est-il?, quel temps fait-il? and d’où viens-tu? are the forms often given in books for learners of French. They’re correct, but they reflect a more formal or written style.

*Depending on the context, the toi at the end of this question can suggest a higher level of curiosity, similar to: “Where are you from, anyway?”

Are you using a book to learn French? Do the authors use the formal or informal versions of questions like these?

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Posted in Entries #151-200 | 2 Comments

2 Responses

  1. on 29 August 2012 at 14:11 Cory

    I just started learning French a few weeks ago here in the US and I can say without a doubt I have to say that I love learn to speak Quebecois! I am planning on moving Montreal MBA and to live for good when I can.
    By comparing my text(which is basic to say the least) to this blog. I have to say I prefer the blog. The books are very formal and “touristy.” You learn how to ask for time and order food and things like that but it is always formal. I wish there were more blogs and books that teach you how to really speak French informally with your friends. I already know how to ask for time(formally and in Quebecois) but thanks to this blog I learned how to say I had a sh–y day! (J’ai passé une journée de cul au bureau!)


    • on 29 August 2012 at 18:28 OffQc

      I’ve used a lot of French from television series on this blog to catch more of the language that you’d really hear in conversations. Listen to as much spoken French as you can — real conversations, TV, film, radio…



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