French for Asking for Advice: 'Qu'est-ce que tu ferais ?' and 'Des conseils ?'
Learn elementary French phrases to describe a problem and ask for someone's opinion or advice, without asking them to do you a favor.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
When you have a problem, you may want someone's opinion rather than practical help. In French, asking for advice is different from asking for a favor. This lesson teaches you how to explain a situation and ask questions such as Qu'est-ce que tu ferais ? (What would you do?) and Tu as des conseils ? (Any advice?). You will also learn how to avoid confusing advice with a request for action.
By the end, you can…
- describe a simple problem in French
- ask for someone's opinion or advice using Qu'est-ce que tu ferais ? and related phrases
- distinguish asking for advice from asking someone to do a favor
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
J'ai un problème avec mon travail.
I have a problem with my work.
zhay uh(n) prob-LEM a-vek mohn trah-VAI
A simple way to introduce a problem before asking for advice.
Qu'est-ce que tu ferais ?
What would you do?
kess-kuh tew fuh-REH
Informal tu form; asks for the other person's opinion, not an action.
Tu as des conseils ?
Do you have any advice?
tew ah day kohn-SEH
Informal question; a natural way to ask for advice in conversation.
À ma place, tu ferais quoi ?
In my position, what would you do?
ah ma plass, tew fuh-REH kwah
Very common spoken French; the question word quoi comes at the end.
Qu'est-ce que vous me conseillez ?
What do you advise me to do?
kess-kuh voo muh kohn-seh-YAY
Polite vous form; useful with someone you do not know well.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To ask for advice, use a question about the other person's opinion: Qu'est-ce que tu ferais ? (What would you do?) or Qu'est-ce que vous feriez ? (What would you do? formal). You can also use Tu as des conseils ? or Vous avez des conseils ? The conditional forms ferais and feriez mean 'would do' and keep the question hypothetical. Add a short situation first: J'ai un problème avec mon travail. Qu'est-ce que tu ferais ? This is not the same as asking someone to act for you.
When to use it
Use these questions when you want an opinion, not a favor. For example, say J'ai un problème avec mon travail. Tu as des conseils ? when you want ideas. If you actually want someone to do something, use a favor request such as Tu peux m'aider ? (Can you help me?) or Est-ce que tu peux parler à mon patron ? (Can you talk to my boss?). The advice questions leave the decision with you; the favor questions ask the other person to act.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
J'ai un problème avec mon travail. Qu'est-ce que tu ferais ?
I have a problem with my work. What would you do?zhay uh(n) prob-LEM a-vek mohn trah-VAI. kess-kuh tew fuh-REHÀ ta place, je parlerais à ton patron. Tu me demandes des conseils ?
In your position, I would talk to your boss. Are you asking me for advice?ah ta plass, zhuh par-luh-REH ah tohn pah-TROHN. tew muh duh-MAHND day kohn-SEHOui, je veux juste ton avis. Je ne te demande pas de parler à ma place.
Yes, I just want your opinion. I am not asking you to speak for me.wee, zhuh vuh zhewest tohn ah-VEE. zhuh nuh tuh duh-MAHND pah duh par-LAY ah ma plassD'accord. Alors, tu peux préparer une liste de tes problèmes avant de parler.
Okay. So, you can prepare a list of your problems before speaking.dah-KOR. ah-LOR, tew puh pray-pah-RAY ewn leest duh tay prob-LEM ah-VAHN duh par-LAYA little context goes a long way
In everyday French conversation, Tu as des conseils ? and Qu'est-ce que tu ferais ? are common with friends, family and colleagues you address with tu. With a stranger, an older person or a formal workplace contact, use vous: Qu'est-ce que vous feriez ? or Vous avez des conseils ? In France, direct advice questions are normal, but a short situation first makes the request clearer and more polite.
One thing to watch for
Using Qu'est-ce que tu ferais ? when you actually want the person to do something for you.
Try this instead: Qu'est-ce que tu ferais ? asks for an opinion only. If you want action, say Tu peux m'aider ? or Est-ce que tu peux m'aider ? For example, J'ai un problème avec mon travail. Tu peux m'aider ? asks for help, while J'ai un problème avec mon travail. Qu'est-ce que tu ferais ? asks for advice.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask an informal 'What would you do?' in French?
Show a sample answer
Qu'est-ce que tu ferais ?
This uses the tu form and the conditional ferais. À ma place, tu ferais quoi ? is also correct in spoken French.
2Which phrase asks for advice rather than a favor: Tu peux m'aider ? or Tu as des conseils ?
Show a sample answer
Tu as des conseils ?
Tu as des conseils ? asks for advice. Tu peux m'aider ? asks the person to help you, which is a favor request.
3Make the advice question polite with vous.
Show a sample answer
Qu'est-ce que vous feriez ?
This is the vous form of Qu'est-ce que tu ferais ? Vous avez des conseils ? is also a valid polite alternative.
Describe the situation briefly, then ask Qu'est-ce que tu ferais ? or Tu as des conseils ? when you want advice, not action.
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