Yes/no questions with "Est-ce que" (Est-ce que tu parles ?)

Asking questions with "est-ce que"

To ask a structured yes/no question in French, place est-ce que at the beginning of a statement. It translates literally to "is it that," but acts like "do," "does," "is," or "are" in English.

Use this structure to ask about trips and travel habits.

Are you traveling for vacation?
Est-ce que vous voyagez pour les vacances ?

"Est-ce qu'" before a vowel

If the next word begins with a vowel (like il or elle), est-ce que shortens to est-ce qu'.

Is he traveling soon?
Est-ce qu'il voyage bientôt ?

Travel essentials

Use est-ce que to ask about trip details like tickets (un billet) or transportation.

Are we taking the train?
Est-ce que nous prenons le train ?
Are you taking the plane?
Est-ce que vous prenez l'avion ?

You can ask about packing essentials like passports (un passeport) and suitcases (une valise)...

Is the passport in the suitcase?
Est-ce que le passeport est dans la valise ?

...or about the places people are visiting (visiter).

Are you visiting the city now?
Est-ce que vous visitez la ville maintenant ?

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