Learn Everything About the Use of French Interrogative Words
Asking questions is a crucial part of communication. In French, we use interrogative words to ask for specific information. These words allow us to ask who, what, which, when, where, why, how, etc. Learn how to use them correctly with this easy-to-read article!
Interrogative Adjectives
Interrogative adjectives agree with the noun they accompany in gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural).
Their different forms are:
- Quel (masculine singular)
- Quelle (feminine singular)
- Quels (masculine plural)
- Quelles (feminine plural)
Examples:
- Quel livre a-t-elle préféré ? Which book did she prefer?
- Quelle maison est la plus belle ? Which house is the nicest?
- Quels sont les musées gratuits aujourd’hui ? Which museums are free today?
- Quelles sont les meilleures baskets pour la course à pied ? Which trainers are best for running?
These are always used with a noun.
Fluency on Your Schedule!
With 24/7 access to native-speaker videos, podcasts for on-the-go listening, and a pronunciation tool to perfect your accent, you’ll learn faster and more flexibly. Our interactive exercises ensure you’re ready for real conversations anytime, anywhere!
Interrogative Pronouns
Interrogative pronouns replace a noun. They can be used as the subject, direct object, or indirect object.
1. Qui (Who)
Used to refer to people.
- Qui sonne à la porte ? Who’s ringing the doorbell?
- Qui chante cette chanson ? J’adore ! Who sings this song? I love it!
- Tu parles à qui ? / À qui tu parles ? (informal structure) Who are you talking to?
- À qui parles-tu ? (formal structure) Who are you talking to?
Word order matters:
Who are you talking to? → À qui tu parles ?
Common mistakes to avoid: Qui tu parles ? / Qui parles-tu à ?
2. Que / Quoi (What)
Used to ask about things or actions.
- Qu’est-ce que tu veux ? / Que veux-tu ? / Tu veux quoi ? What do you want?
- Qu’est-ce qu’il fait ? / Que fait-il ? / Il fait quoi ? What is he doing?
🔹 Que is used at the beginning of a sentence.
🔹 Quoi is used at the end (more informal tone).
For more practice and examples, check out the video below!
3. Lequel / Laquelle / Lesquels / Lesquelles (Which one)
Used to choose from known options.
- Voici trois robes, laquelle préfère-t-elle ? Here are three dresses, which one does she prefer?
- Lequel réserve-t-on ? L’avion qui part à 10 heures ? Which one shall we book? The plane leaving at 10am?
- Lesquelles sont les tiennes ? Les lunettes de soleil bleues ou les rouges ? Which ones are yours? The blue or the red sunglasses?
- Lesquels voulez-vous ? Which ones do you want?
Interrogative Adverbs
These adverbs describe place, time, manner, quantity, number, or cause.
| Adverb | Example | English |
|---|---|---|
| Où | Où vas-tu ? | Where are you going? |
| Quand | Quand part-il ? | When is he leaving? |
| Comment | Comment allez-vous ? | How are you doing? |
| Pourquoi | Pourquoi tu n’es pas venu ? | Why didn’t you come? |
| Combien | Combien ça coûte ? | How much does it cost? |
| Combien de | Combien de frères et sœurs as-tu ? | How many siblings do you have? |
A Few Key Points to Remember
- Quel / Quelle / Quels / Quelles must agree with the noun they modify.
- Use qui for people, and que/quoi for things or actions.
- Use que at the start of a sentence, quoi at the end (informal).
- Combien de + noun = How many… (e.g., Combien de livres ?)
- Combien ça coûte / C’est combien ? = How much is it?
- Don’t confuse où (where) with ou (or).
Conclusion
Interrogative words can help you have meaningful conversations. By learning them, you’ll significantly improve both your comprehension and the quality of your interactions.
So go ahead—don’t be shy about asking when, where, or why!
Speak with Confidence!
With native-speaker videos and interactive exercises, you’ll master real-world language skills faster and more effectively. Our immersive content helps you gain fluency, improve your pronunciation, and feel confident in any conversation!
