French Basics for Beginners: Question Words ❓🇫🇷

Asking questions is one of the first and most important skills when learning a new language.

In French, question words (also called les mots interrogatifs) help you get information, start conversations, and better understand others.

This guide covers the essential French question words for beginners, with English translations, explanations, and simple examples.

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❓ The Most Common French Question Words

• Qui ? – Who?
  👉 Qui est là ? – Who is there?

• Que ? / Quoi ? – What?
  👉 Que fais-tu ? – What are you doing?
  👉 Tu fais quoi ? – What are you doing? (informal)

• Où ? – Where?
  👉 Où habites-tu ? – Where do you live?

• Quand ? – When?
  👉 Quand partons-nous ? – When are we leaving?

• Pourquoi ? – Why?
  👉 Pourquoi apprends-tu le français ? – Why are you learning French?

• Comment ? – How?
  👉 Comment ça va ? – How are you?

• Combien ? – How much / How many?
  👉 Combien ça coûte ? – How much does it cost?

• Lequel / Laquelle / Lesquels / Lesquelles ? – Which one(s)?
  👉 Lequel préfères-tu ? – Which one do you prefer?

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📝 Notes for Beginners

1. Inversion vs. Est-ce que:

   • Où habites-tu ? (formal/inversion)

   • Où est-ce que tu habites ? (neutral, common in spoken French)

2. Word order in informal speech:

   • Tu habites où ? (informal, everyday French)

3. Qui always refers to a person, while que/quoi are used for things or actions.

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💬 Useful Question Phrases

• Quel âge as-tu ? – How old are you?

• Quelle heure est-il ? – What time is it?

• Quel jour sommes-nous ? – What day is it?

• Avec qui ? – With whom?

• Pour combien de personnes ? – For how many people?

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🎯 Practice Activity

👉 Write 5 simple questions in French using different question words. For example:

• Où est la gare ?

• Quand est ton anniversaire ?

• Qui est ton professeur ?

• Comment s’appelle ton ami ?

• Pourquoi apprends-tu le français ?

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✅ Conclusion

By mastering these French question words, beginners will be able to start conversations, ask for directions, and understand everyday interactions. These essential interrogative words in French are building blocks for communication.

If you enjoyed this guide, check out more of our French basics vocabulary lists to boost your confidence in French step by step!