Question is the most common and straightforward way to say “question” in French. But as you deepen your understanding of the language, you'll discover there are many nuances and other words you can use.

Whether you're a beginner trying to ask for directions or an advanced learner delving into philosophical discussions, knowing how to phrase your inquiries precisely can make all the difference.

Let's explore 9 different ways to say “question” in French, helping you communicate more effectively and sound more like a native speaker!

The standard 'question' – la question

La question is the most straightforward and common word for 'question' in French.

This noun is always feminine, so you'll only see it as: la question - a question (singular) les questions - questions (plural)

It can be used in any situation, from very formal inquiries to casual conversations with friends.

While 'la question' itself is simple, forming and asking questions in French has its own nuances.

To 'ask a question' in French, the most common verb is poser. So you would say poser une question. You can also use demander if you are asking someone a question, e.g., demander une question à quelqu'un (though poser une question à quelqu'un is more common for the act of asking).

For example, J'ai une question (I have a question) means you want to ask something. Il a posé une question au professeur (He asked a question to the teacher) clearly shows the action of asking.

Be careful not to confuse la question with the English verb 'to question'. In French, questionner means 'to interrogate' or 'to doubt' someone or something, and is much stronger than just asking a question.

Understanding la question is generally easy due to its direct meaning. The main thing to remember is how to phrase the act of asking, primarily with poser.

In French culture, it's generally polite to use Est-ce que... or inversion for formal questions, especially when addressing strangers or superiors, rather than just rising intonation alone, which can sound more casual.

💡 * J'ai une question. (I have a question.)

Puis-je vous poser une question ? (May I ask you a question?)

Les questions sont importantes pour apprendre. (Questions are important for learning.)

C'est une bonne question. (That's a good question.)

Il a répondu à toutes mes questions. (He answered all my questions.)

The formal 'interrogation' or 'query' – l'interrogation

The formal ‘interrogation’ or ‘query’ – l'interrogation

While une question is the general term for 'a question' in French, l'interrogation carries a more formal, often official, connotation. It refers to the act or process of questioning, particularly in a structured or systematic manner.

You'll frequently encounter l'interrogation in administrative, legal, or journalistic contexts. Think of a police interrogation, a formal inquiry, or a detailed survey. It implies a thorough process of seeking information.

In the realm of grammar and linguistics, l'interrogation is also the standard term for the act of forming questions. For instance, you'll learn about l'interrogation directe (direct questioning) and l'interrogation indirecte (indirect questioning) when studying French sentence structure.

The use of l'interrogation suggests a certain gravitas or seriousness. It’s not typically used for casual, everyday questions among friends, where une question or simply asking directly would be much more appropriate.

Therefore, when you need to convey a formal inquiry, a systematic questioning process, or refer to the grammatical concept of asking questions, l'interrogation is the precise term to use. For informal or general questions, stick with une question.

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La police a procédé à l'interrogation du suspect. (The police proceeded with the interrogation of the suspect.)

Le journaliste a préparé une série de questions pour son interrogation. (The journalist prepared a series of questions for his inquiry.)

Nous étudierons l'interrogation directe et indirecte en cours de français. (We will study direct and indirect questioning in French class.)

L'interrogation des témoins est une étape cruciale de l'enquête. (The questioning of witnesses is a crucial stage of the investigation.)

The 'request' or 'inquiry' – la demande

In French, the noun la demande (feminine) is a fundamental term used to express the concept of a 'request' or an 'inquiry'. Understanding its usage is key to formal and informal communication.

As a feminine noun, la demande directly translates to 'the request' or 'the demand'. Its feminine gender is crucial, affecting articles (e.g., une demande) and any adjectives that modify it.

It's important to distinguish la demande from its related verb, demander (to ask, to request). While demander describes the action, la demande refers to the request itself, the 'thing asked for,' or the 'inquiry'.

You will frequently encounter la demande in essential phrases. For instance, faire une demande means 'to make a request' or 'to submit an application,' and répondre à une demande means 'to respond to a request.'

La demande can be used across various contexts, from everyday inquiries to more official applications. It often implies a more structured or formal inquiry compared to a simple question.

Beyond general requests, la demande is vital in specialized terminology. Examples include a demande d'emploi (job application), a demande de visa (visa application), or even in economics, referring to 'demand' in the market.

💡 * J'ai fait une demande de congé. (I made a request for leave.)

Nous avons reçu plusieurs demandes pour ce poste. (We received several applications for this position.)

Sa demande a été acceptée. (Her request was accepted.)

C'est une demande importante. (It's an important request.)

Il a répondu à toutes les demandes des clients. (He responded to all the clients' requests.)

The 'request' or 'petition' (often implying a question) – la requête

The “request” or “petition” (often implying a question) – la requête

La requête translates to “request,” “petition,” or “query” in English, signifying a formal or structured appeal for information or action.

This term is commonly used in administrative, legal, or technical contexts, such as a database query (requête SQL) or a formal appeal to an authority.

Unlike a simple demande (request), la requête carries a more formal tone and often implies a specific question or a detailed appeal for a decision or information.

💡 * Le juge a examiné la requête des avocats. (The judge examined the lawyers' petition.)

J'ai envoyé une requête au service client pour mon problème. (I sent a request to customer service for my issue.)

Comment formuler une requête efficace ? (How to formulate an effective request?)

La requête SQL a renvoyé les données nécessaires. (The SQL query returned the necessary data.)

Elle a déposé une requête en divorce. (She filed a divorce petition.)

The 'point of inquiry' or 'doubt' – le point d'interrogation

In French, the punctuation mark we know as the question mark is called le point d'interrogation.

Its primary role, just like in English, is to indicate a direct question at the end of a sentence. It signals to the reader that an inquiry is being made.

A key distinction in French typography is the mandatory non-breaking space that precedes le point d'interrogation. This rule applies to other double punctuation marks like the exclamation mark, colon, and semicolon.

Beyond its literal use, le point d'interrogation can also figuratively represent a state of doubt, uncertainty, or an unresolved issue. If something is 'un point d'interrogation', it means it's unclear or questionable.

You might hear phrases like 'C'est un grand point d'interrogation' (It's a big question mark/It's very uncertain) or 'mettre un point d'interrogation sur quelque chose' (to cast doubt on something).

Mastering the correct use and understanding the dual meaning of le point d'interrogation is essential for both written French and grasping nuances in spoken conversation.

💡 *Où vas-tu ? (Where are you going?)
*Est-ce que tu comprends ? (Do you understand?)
*Son avenir est un grand point d'interrogation. (His future is a big question mark.)
*Nous avons mis un point d'interrogation sur la faisabilité du projet. (We cast doubt on the project's feasibility.)
*Comment ça, tu ne viens pas ? (What do you mean, you're not coming?)

The 'problem' or 'issue' (which often raises questions) – le problème

In French, the most common and direct translation for "problem" or "issue" is le problème. This word is fundamental to expressing difficulties or questions in various contexts.

A key point to remember for learners is that le problème is a masculine noun, despite ending in '-e'. This is an exception to the general rule that words ending in '-e' are often feminine. So, it's always un problème or le problème, never une problème or la problème.

You can use le problème to refer to any kind of difficulty, challenge, or issue, whether it's a personal dilemma, a technical malfunction, or a societal concern. It's a versatile word applicable in both formal and informal settings.

One of the most frequent uses you'll encounter is the phrase 'Pas de problème', which directly translates to 'No problem' or 'No worries'. It's a very common and polite way to acknowledge a request or assure someone that something isn't an issue.

Understanding and correctly using le problème is essential for effective communication in French. Its broad application makes it a cornerstone word for discussing obstacles, inquiries, and solutions in everyday conversations.

💡 * J'ai un problème avec ma voiture. (I have a problem with my car.)

Quel est le problème ? (What is the problem?)

Pas de problème, je peux t'aider. (No problem, I can help you.)

C'est un problème complexe à résoudre. (It's a complex problem to solve.)

Le problème, c'est que je n'ai pas le temps. (The problem is that I don't have time.)

The 'riddle' or 'enigma' – l'énigme

The French word l'énigme translates directly to 'the riddle' or 'the enigma' in English. It refers to a puzzling or mysterious question, statement, or situation that requires thought to solve or understand.

L'énigme is a feminine noun. Even though it starts with a vowel, the definite article la is contracted to l', so you'll always see it as l'énigme.

While it can mean a simple riddle, l'énigme often carries a deeper sense of mystery, a difficult problem, or an inexplicable phenomenon. It evokes a sense of intellectual challenge or profound mystery.

💡 * J'adore résoudre les énigmes. (I love solving riddles.)

Sa disparition est une véritable énigme. (Her disappearance is a real enigma.)

Le Sphinx posait des énigmes aux voyageurs. (The Sphinx posed riddles to travelers.)

Cette situation reste une énigme pour les chercheurs. (This situation remains an enigma for researchers.)

Pour moi, la vie est une grande énigme. (For me, life is a big enigma.)

The 'dilemma' or 'tough choice' – le dilemme

In French, un dilemme refers to a dilemma or a tough choice. It describes a situation where one must choose between two (or more) undesirable or equally appealing alternatives, creating a difficult decision.

This term is commonly used in everyday conversation and formal contexts to express a difficult predicament. It implies a situation where the options presented are not straightforward and require careful consideration.

A frequent way to express facing a dilemma is with the phrase être face à un dilemme (to be faced with a dilemma) or être confronté à un dilemme (to be confronted with a dilemma).

💡 * J'étais face à un dilemme : rester ou partir. (I was faced with a dilemma: to stay or to leave.)

C'est un véritable dilemme éthique. (It's a real ethical dilemma.)

Elle est confrontée à un dilemme difficile entre sa carrière et sa famille. (She is confronted with a difficult dilemma between her career and her family.)

Le gouvernement est devant un dilemme économique. (The government is facing an economic dilemma.)

The 'investigation' or 'inquiry' – l'enquête

The French word for 'investigation' or 'inquiry' is l'enquête. This versatile term is widely used in various contexts, from formal police procedures to general surveys.

L'enquête is a feminine noun. Because it starts with a vowel, it uses the elided definite article l', instead of la. In its plural form, it becomes les enquêtes.

One of the most common uses of l'enquête is in formal or official contexts, such as police investigations, judicial inquiries, or journalistic reporting. It refers to a detailed examination or search for facts and truth.

Beyond formal investigations, l'enquête can also refer to a survey or a poll. In this sense, it involves gathering information or opinions from a group of people, often for statistical analysis or market research.

The corresponding verb is enquêter, meaning 'to investigate' or 'to inquire'. For example, la police enquête sur l'affaire (the police are investigating the case).

💡 *La police a ouvert une enquête sur le vol. (The police have opened an investigation into the theft.)
*Le journaliste mène une enquête approfondie. (The journalist is conducting a thorough inquiry.)
*Nous avons participé à une enquête de satisfaction client. (We participated in a customer satisfaction survey.)
*Les résultats de l'enquête seront publiés la semaine prochaine. (The results of the survey will be published next week.)
*Le juge a ordonné une enquête judiciaire. (The judge ordered a judicial inquiry.)

Are there other ways to say 'question' in French?

Are there other ways to say “question” in French?

Our list features the most common ways to say “question” in French. But the French language, like any, is rich with nuances, from formal terms to regional expressions and modern slang that might not be immediately obvious.

You can also do an online search for “comment dire question en ___” followed by a specific Francophone country or region to uncover local variations.

You might find some interesting synonyms for question. Of course, always make sure to check a word’s definition and try to see it used in context before you incorporate it into your vocabulary.

Pay attention as you read, watch, and listen to things in French — you may discover different ways to formulate or refer to questions.

And if you’re looking for more depth on terms related to asking, inquiring, or the concept of a 'question' in French, the WordReference entry for question is an excellent starting point!

I hope you found this article helpful in expanding your French vocabulary. To conclude, here's a thought from Jean-Jacques Rousseau that emphasizes the value of inquiry: Il n'y a de bon que le savoir, et pas de mauvais que l'ignorance. (Only knowledge is good, and only ignorance is bad.)

9 ways to say "question" in French