Learn French: Combien de tranches de jambon est-ce que tu prends ?

Combien de tranches de jambon est-ce que tu prends ?

How many slices of ham are you taking?

Breakdown of Combien de tranches de jambon est-ce que tu prends ?

you (informal singular)

of / from / any (in negative sentences) / about (concerning)

prendre

to have (a meal/drink) / to take

est-ce que

is it that / do / does (question marker)

Questions & Answers about Combien de tranches de jambon est-ce que tu prends ?

Why is it Combien de tranches and not Combien des tranches since slices is plural?

When using combien (how many), it is always followed by a simple de (or d' before a vowel). You never use des, du, or de la after it. Even though tranches (slices) is plural, the rule strictly requires combien de.

Why is it de jambon instead of du jambon?

Just like with combien de, when you use a noun of quantity like une tranche (a slice), it is followed by a simple de. So, a slice of ham is une tranche de jambon, not une tranche du jambon.

What does est-ce que do in the middle of this sentence?

Est-ce que is a common question marker. Here, it connects the question phrase Combien de tranches de jambon with the subject and verb tu prends. It doesn't translate directly to an English word, but it lets you ask the question without reversing the order of the verb and subject.

French uses tu prends here. Does that mean you take or you are taking?

It can mean both! French uses one present tense to cover both English forms. Depending on the context, tu prends translates to you take, you do take, or you are taking.