Level A1Sentence StructureEaquals/CIEP A1

Asking with est-ce que

est-ce que

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est-ce que

The everyday yes/no question puts est-ce que before a normal sentence: Est-ce que tu parles français. Rising intonation alone also works: Tu parles français.

Notice the contrast:Tu parles françaisEst-ce que tu parles français

Examples in context

Read the examples and compare their English meanings.

Asking a basic yes/no question

Just add it before the statement.

Est-ce que tu aimes le chocolat ?

Do you like chocolate?

Checking information politely

Use 'qu'' before vowels like 'il'.

Est-ce qu'il pleut aujourd'hui ?

Is it raining today?

Common mix-ups

Compare: Tu est-ce que parles français ?Use here: Est-ce que tu parles français ?

Place est-ce que before the subject and verb. A question word may precede it: pourquoi est-ce que tu pars ?

Do you speak French?

Try a reply

Say or write your answer in French before opening the example.

Do you have time? Use est-ce que and address one friend.

Show one possible answer

Est-ce que tu as le temps ?

Other wording can work too. Compare the verb form, agreement, and word order with the lesson. Then try a sentence about your own day.

Keep practicing

Related grammar

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