black_bambi | French - Learn French in a friendly community! | Page 1

sleek rivetBOT Feb 4, 2024, 9:24 AM

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Please be patient

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woeful zinc Feb 4, 2024, 9:25 AM

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The difference between "que fais-tu" and "tu fais quoi" is simply that the form of que/quoi changes if it's at the beginning or the end

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as for ici / là, they have similar meanings, but "ici" puts the emphasis on "here in this place"
là on the otherhand can mean anything proximal in terms of time or space

foggy sonnet Feb 4, 2024, 9:26 AM

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without context, I would understand a different meaning for those two sentences, though

woeful zinc Feb 4, 2024, 9:26 AM

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Thus, "Que fais-tu ici ?" → What are you doing in this place?
"Tu fais quoi là ?" → What are you doing right now

dense patrol Feb 4, 2024, 9:27 AM

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I interpreted "tu fais quoi là" as "what are you doing" with "là" as emphasis

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as "now" ig

halcyon notch Feb 4, 2024, 9:27 AM

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It should also be noted that the first example uses inversion which is the formal way of asking a question whereas the second uses intonation which is the informal way.

half basin Feb 4, 2024, 9:27 AM

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Ah ok. Thanks. So if I were to meet someone randomly and ask them what they are doing here, which one would I use?

woeful zinc Feb 4, 2024, 9:28 AM

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I mean... that would be a bit accusatory sounding

dense patrol Feb 4, 2024, 9:28 AM

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You wouldn't really ask a stranger either of these, but ig the first one with vouvoiement

woeful zinc Feb 4, 2024, 9:28 AM

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"What are you doing here?" -> you have no right to be here

half basin Feb 4, 2024, 9:29 AM

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And in a friendly way? Like "Hey, what are you doing here? :D"

halcyon notch Feb 4, 2024, 9:29 AM

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It would also depend on the age of the person you just met because with an older person you might use « vous » but with someone your age « tu » is more appropriate

woeful zinc Feb 4, 2024, 9:29 AM

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^ This also depends on your own age lol

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I'm old enough that I just use vous with all strangers unless I'm in a bar and unless the person is like 8 years old

half basin Feb 4, 2024, 9:30 AM

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I just mean like a school mate or so

woeful zinc Feb 4, 2024, 9:30 AM

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I don't think I'd add "here" in that case

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"Tu fais quoi ?" -> what are you up to/ what are you doing

half basin Feb 4, 2024, 9:31 AM

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ah oki thanks :D

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