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We are going to explain you everything you ever wanted to know about the basic sentence “D’où viens-tu”.
It includes a full definition of what it is and how you can use it in a casual conversation with an audio example. And because we want you to learn efficiently, we also sprinkled some useful informations like dialogue example, slow pronunciation audio and more!
Oh and if you are interested, you can find more sentences guides like this one on this page and the directory of all our French words pages on this page. C’est parti ! (Let’s go!)
French to English
- Translation: Where are you from?
- Register: Formal - Basic
Audio pronunciation
Slow pronunciation
- International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA): / du vjɛ̃-ty ? /
What does d'où viens-tu ? mean?
Definition
The literal meaning is:
- D’où → From where
- Viens tu ? → Are you from?
This is the classic and neutral way to ask someone: “Where are you from?” in French, but you can also use “Tu viens d’où ?“.
The informal version is “T’es d’où ?” and the formal version is “Vous êtes d’où ?” (this version also works when talking to a group of people).
How to use it
If someone asks you: “D’où viens-tu ?” you can answer with “Je viens du Brésil, et toi ?” (I’m from Brazil, and you?)
Or you can simply start by asking: “Tu viens d’où ?“.
Note that the precise meaning can depend on context. If French people meet each other, this question means “Which city/region are you from in France?” but when one of the people isn’t French it will mean “Which country are you from?“.
Plus, this question can sometimes be painful when you are born somewhere, but grew up somewhere else and are even currently living somewhere else…
In this case, you have to decide which one represents you the most. And if you don’t know, you can always say: “Je suis un citoyen du monde !” (I’m a citizen of the world!)
Fun stuff
The informal version “T’es d’où ?” sounds exactly like “T’es doux ?” which means “Are you sweet/gentle?“. So don’t be surprised if sometimes French people are having fun, answering you “Oui” with a smile.
Synonyms
- Tu viens d’où ? (“Where are you from“)(Neutral)
- T’es d’où ? (“Where are you from“)(Informal)
- Vous venez d’où ? (“Where are you from“)(Formal)
- Vous êtes d’où ? (“Where are you from“)(Formal)
Example in a story with translation
Now, let’s see a complete example of this idiom in a story with slow French audio and the English translation below.
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La nouvelle collègue
The new colleague
___
Marc: Bonjour ! Je m’appelle Marc.
Hello! My name is Marc.
Nina: Bonjour ! Je m’appelle Nina. Ravi de te rencontrer Marc.
Hello! My name is Nina. Nice to meet you Marc.
Marc: Ravi de te rencontrer aussi. Tu es une nouvelle employée ?
Nice to meet you too. Are you a new employee?
Nina: Oui, j’ai commencé à travailler ici hier.
Yes, I started working here yesterday.
Marc: Je vois. D’où viens-tu ?
I see. Where do you come from?
Nina: Je viens du Royaume-Uni. Je suis venue ici pour un stage.
I’m from the United Kingdom. I came here for an internship.
Marc: Oh vraiment ? De quelle ville viens-tu ?
Oh really? Which city are you from?
As an enthusiast and language expert, I have a profound understanding of linguistics, particularly in French language studies. My knowledge spans from basic to advanced concepts, including grammar, syntax, idiomatic expressions, and cultural nuances within the French language.
Regarding the provided article on the phrase "D'où viens-tu ?" in French, I can break down and elaborate on the concepts mentioned:
French Phrases: "D'où viens-tu ?"
Definition:
- Literal Meaning: "D’où" means "from where" and "viens-tu" translates to "are you from." Thus, the phrase directly translates to "Where are you from?" in English.
Usage and Variations:
- Formality: The phrase "D'où viens-tu ?" is a formal or basic way to inquire about someone's origin.
- Informal Versions:
- "Tu viens d’où ?" - A casual version.
- "T’es d’où ?" - An informal, contracted version.
- Formal Version for Groups: "Vous êtes d’où ?" - Used when addressing a group or in formal settings.
Contextual Use:
- The question's precise meaning can vary based on context. When French people ask this, it might refer to someone's city or region within France. However, if the person is not French, it generally pertains to their country of origin.
Responses and Fun Additions:
- Responses can include stating one's country or city of origin, such as "Je viens du Brésil, et toi ?" (I’m from Brazil, and you?)
- For those with complex backgrounds, the playful response "Je suis un citoyen du monde !" (I’m a citizen of the world!) can be used.
- The informal version "T’es d’où ?" may sound like "T’es doux ?" (Are you sweet/gentle?), leading to playful interactions.
Synonyms and Examples:
- Synonyms include "Tu viens d’où ?", "Vous venez d’où ?", and "Vous êtes d’où ?"
- The provided story snippet illustrates the phrase's use in a dialogue between two people, asking about origins and exchanging information about their backgrounds.
This phrase "D'où viens-tu ?" is a fundamental and versatile component of casual conversation in French, allowing individuals to inquire politely about someone's origins or background.
If you have further questions or need more detailed explanations about French language concepts or phrases, feel free to ask!
