French for English speakers Zoo · Lesson 5

What do you mean?

Ask 'what do you mean?' in French — Tu veux dire quoi par là ? — when something needs clarifying.

Conversation

  1. Cassian Cassian

    Je voudrais acheter un singe !

    I want to buy a monkey!

    Tip: <voudrais> = lit. I would ike and is used when you want to be polite.

  2. PX296 PX296

    Attends, tu veux dire quoi par là ?

    One moment. What do you mean?

    Tip: <tu veux dire> = lit. you want to say

  3. Cassian Cassian

    Je veux dire un animal en peluche.

    I mean a stuffed animal.

    Tip: <veux> is used for expressing basic desires.

  4. PX296 PX296

    Aaah, une peluche ! Je comprends.

    Aaaah, a stuffed one!

Common questions

Quick answers about this lesson's grammar and vocabulary.

How do you say 'what do you mean?' in French?

Tu veux dire quoi par là? (informal) or Que voulez-vous dire? (formal). Vouloir dire = 'to mean'.

What does attends mean?

'Wait' — imperative of attendre. Attends! = 'wait!'. Polite: Attendez (vous form).

How do you say 'I want to buy ...' in French?

Je voudrais acheter + noun (polite) or Je veux acheter + noun (direct). Acheter = to buy.