Dialogue
French question intonation: try the same words in context
Practise a short French exchange, compare an information question with a surprised echo, and learn what to note when listening to question intonation.
- B1
- 10 lines
- Practice mode
- Learn this in the B1 notebook →
In short
Compare questions with the same purpose and wording, then listen to the ending and the word that stands out. A gentle rise is a useful first model for Tu viens demain ? A surprised repeat can use the same words with a different pitch range and emphasis.
Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn
Read this exchange with a partner. The first question asks about availability. Later, repeat the time with surprise. In practice mode, use the English cues to produce your turns, then reveal the French.
- You
Tu viens demain ?
Ask whether your partner is coming tomorrow.
English
Are you coming tomorrow?
- Nora
Oui, je viens pour réviser avec toi.
English
Yes, I’m coming to revise with you.
- You
À quelle heure tu arrives ?
Ask what time she is arriving.
English
What time are you arriving?
- Nora
À sept heures du matin.
English
At seven in the morning.
- You
À sept heures du matin ?
Repeat the time with surprise: it is much earlier than you expected.
English
At seven in the morning?
- Nora
Oui, je travaille à neuf heures. Ça te va ?
English
Yes, I start work at nine. Does that suit you?
- You
Je préfère huit heures. Tu peux venir à huit heures ?
Suggest eight and check whether she can come then.
English
I’d prefer eight. Can you come at eight?
- Nora
D’accord, huit heures. On révise pendant une demi-heure.
English
All right, eight. We’ll revise for half an hour.
- You
Donc, tu arrives à huit heures ?
Confirm the final arrangement.
English
So you’re arriving at eight?
- Nora
Oui, c’est ça. À demain !
English
Yes, that’s right. See you tomorrow!
How does intonation change a French question?
| Question | Purpose | What the reply supplies |
|---|---|---|
| Tu viens demain ? | Information | Whether Nora will come |
| À quelle heure tu arrives ? | Information | An arrival time |
| À sept heures du matin ? | Surprised echo | Confirmation of an unexpected time |
| Donc, tu arrives à huit heures ? | Final check | Confirmation of the agreed time |
A question word can appear at the end too: Tu arrives à quelle heure ? When comparing recordings, keep that word order in your note. A question mark identifies the written sentence as a question; the recording supplies its actual pitch movement.
Listen for three things
For your second reading, keep the words and change the situation. First ask Tu viens demain ? as a routine check. Then imagine your partner has just said they are coming a day earlier than planned and echo Tu viens demain ? with surprise. Ask your partner which meaning came across.