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This lesson introduces the French question forms using "Est-ce que" for yes/no questions and the series of "quel, quelle, quels, quelles" to ask about specific information, emphasizing agreement with nouns and subject-verb inversion, as in "Est-ce que tu as un cadeau?" or "Quels cadeaux préfères-tu?".
  1. "Quel" is used for an open question (free answer) and "est-ce que" for a closed question (yes or no).
  2. "Est-ce que" is used to introduce a question.
  3. "Quel" agrees with the noun: "quel", "quelle", "quels", "quelles".
  4. When forming a question, the subject and the verb are inverted.
Forme (Form)Exemple (Example)
Est-ce que + sujet + verbeEst-ce que tu as un cadeau? (Do you have a present?)
Quel (masculin singulier) + nomQuel âge as-tu? (How old are you?)
Quelle (féminin singulier) + nomQuelle année? (Which year?)
Quels (masculin pluriel) + nomQuels cadeaux préfères-tu? (Which presents do you prefer?)
Quelles (féminin pluriel) + nomQuelles fêtes célébrez-vous? (Which holidays do you celebrate?)
Verbe + sujetÊtes-vous contents (Are you happy)? 

Exceptions!

  1. "Quel" is not limited to questions, whereas the expression "est-ce que" is used only in questions.
  2. In the inversion of the subject and the verb, when the verb begins with a vowel or a silent h, a "t" is added to facilitate pronunciation: Quel âge as-t-il?

Exercise 1: Les mots interrogatifs: "Est-ce que" et "Quel"

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

Quel, Est-ce que, Quelle, Quelles, Quels

1.
... est ton nom ?
(What is your name?)
2.
... tu es espagnol ?
(Are you Spanish?)
3.
... âge as-tu ?
(How old are you?)
4.
... cadeaux as-tu eu ?
(What presents did you get?)
5.
... grand-mère prépare le gâteau d'anniversaire ?
(Which grandmother is preparing the birthday cake?)
6.
... cousines sont à ton anniversaire ?
(Which cousins are at your birthday party?)
7.
... année es-tu né ?
(What year were you born?)
8.
... tu vis en Espagne ?
(Do you live in Spain?)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct solution

1. ________ tu as un gâteau pour l'anniversaire ?

(________ do you have a cake for the birthday?)

2. ________ âge as-tu aujourd’hui ?

(________ age are you today?)

3. ________ tu prépares une fête pour ton anniversaire ?

(________ are you preparing a party for your birthday?)

4. ________ année est-ce que tu fêtes aujourd’hui ?

(________ year are you celebrating today?)

5. ________ cadeaux préfères-tu recevoir pour ton anniversaire ?

(________ gifts do you prefer to receive for your birthday?)

6. ________ fêtes célèbres-tu avec tes amis ?

(________ parties do you celebrate with your friends?)

Interrogative Words: "Est-ce que" and "Quel"

This lesson covers two important ways to ask questions in French: using "est-ce que" and the different forms of "quel". Both structures are essential for beginners (A1 level) to form simple and clear questions.

Using "Est-ce que"

"Est-ce que" is a formula used to introduce yes/no questions (closed questions). It is placed at the start of the question followed by the subject and the verb. For example: Est-ce que tu as un cadeau?

Using "Quel" and Its Variations

"Quel" is used for open questions where more detailed answers are expected. It agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies:

  • Quel – masculine singular (e.g., Quel âge as-tu?)
  • Quelle – feminine singular (e.g., Quelle année?)
  • Quels – masculine plural (e.g., Quels cadeaux préfères-tu?)
  • Quelles – feminine plural (e.g., Quelles fêtes célébrez-vous?)

Inversion of Subject and Verb

Another common question form in French is the inversion of the subject and verb: Êtes-vous contents? When the verb starts with a vowel or a mute h, a "-t-" is added for ease of pronunciation: Quel âge as-t-il?

Summary of the Lesson

  • "Est-ce que" is only used for yes/no questions.
  • "Quel" and its forms match the noun in gender and number and introduce open questions.
  • The subject and verb can be inverted to form formal questions.

Notes on Differences with English

In English, question formation typically uses auxiliary verbs (e.g., "Do you have...?" or "What age are you?"). French uses specific question words like "quel", which must agree with the noun, and uses "est-ce que" as a neutral question marker that does not have a direct English equivalent. Also, French often inverts the subject and verb in formal questions, a structure less common in English.

Useful Phrases

  • Est-ce que tu as un gâteau? – Do you have a cake?
  • Quel âge as-tu? – How old are you?
  • Quelle heure est-il? – What time is it?
  • Quels livres préfères-tu? – Which books do you prefer?
  • Quelles fleurs aimes-tu? – Which flowers do you like?
  • Êtes-vous prêts? – Are you ready?

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This content has been designed and reviewed by the coLanguage pedagogical team: About coLanguage

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Alessia Calcagni

Languages for communication in international enterprises and organizations

Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia

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Last Updated:

Thursday, 17/07/2025 10:58