1. to learn how to ask a question using: est-ce que
A2 - niveau usuel (elementary)
We use est-ce que to ask a question.
There is no translation for this expression.
It is simply an easy way of turning a sentence into a question.
The word order of the sentence remains the same, you just add est-ce que in front of it.
It is slightly less formal than using the inversion (verb+pronoun).
PRÉSENT
- Est-ce que tu es français(e) ?
Are you French?
- Est-ce que tu viens au cinéma avec nous ce soir ?
Are you coming to the movies with us tonight?
- Est-ce que vous mangez au restaurant aujourd'hui ?
Are you eating at the restaurant today?
PASSÉ COMPOSÉ
- Est-ce que les enfants sont allés à la piscine hier ?
Did the children go to the swimming pool yesterday?
- Est-ce qu'elles ont fini leurs devoirs ?
Have they finished their homework?
Notice that the e in que disappears when it is followed by a word starting with a vowel.
Translate the following questions into French using est-ce que:
1. Do you like apples?
2. Do you have a brother?
3. Have you eaten your vegetables?
1. Est-ce que tu aimes les pommes ?
2. Est-ce que tu as un frère ?
3. Est-ce que tu as mangé tes légumes ?