A1BeginnerAsking questions · Point 5 / 40
Est-ce que + phrase normale, Est-ce qu' + voyelle
To ask a yes/no question, put “Est-ce que” in front of a normal sentence.
| Structure | Pattern | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Est-ce que | + phrase normale | phrase used to ask a yes/no question |
| Est-ce qu' | + voyelle | the same phrase, shortened before a vowel |
It is the simplest and most common form for a yes/no question.
In context
Examples from our dialogues
Lines taken from our dialogues. Listen to them, then open the full dialogue to hear them in a real situation.
- Listen
Est-ce que tu es libre vendredi soir ?
Are you free Friday evening?
Check The Full DialogueInviting an acquaintance out for a drinkInviter une connaissance à prendre un verre
A2 - Listen
Est-ce que vous avez de la fièvre ?
Do you have a fever?
Check The Full DialogueSeeing the doctorConsulter le médecin
A2 - Listen
Est-ce que le chauffage est inclus dans le loyer ?
Is heating included in the rent?
Check The Full DialogueViewing an apartment with the landlordVisiter un appartement avec le propriétaire
A2 - Listen
Est-ce que les cours sont inclus ?
Are the classes included?
Check The Full DialogueSigning up for a gymS'inscrire à un gym
A2 - Listen
Est-ce que je peux faire toute la demande en ligne plutôt qu'au comptoir ?
Can I do the whole application online rather than at the counter?
Check The Full DialogueAt the immigration counterAu guichet de l'immigration
A2
Watch out
Common mistakes
Mistakes you will often hear, and the right way to say it.
Est-ce que avez-vous de la fièvre ?Est-ce que vous avez de la fièvre ?
After “Est-ce que”, keep the normal order: subject then verb. Don’t also invert.
Est-ce que il y a une pause ?Est-ce qu'il y a une pause ?
Before “il”, “elle”, “on”, “un”, “une”, “que” drops its “e”: “Est-ce qu’il”, “Est-ce qu’on”.
Read
Related readings
Short texts where this point comes up. Read them to see it inside a story.