French for Elementary Learners: Asking for Advice with 'Qu'est-ce que je dois faire ?' and 'Des conseils ?'
Learn to ask for advice in French using 'Qu'est-ce que je dois faire ?' and 'Des conseils ?', with examples like 'J'ai perdu mes clés. Qu'est-ce que je dois faire ?'
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
When you have a problem and need guidance, you often want to ask 'What should I do?' or 'Any suggestions?' in French. This lesson teaches you two essential phrases for seeking advice: 'Qu'est-ce que je dois faire ?' (What should I do?) and 'Des conseils ?' (Any suggestions?). You will learn how to use them in context, with correct pronunciation and register. Unlike giving advice, which involves telling someone what to do, asking for advice is about seeking help. We will focus on the question forms and common situations where you might need them.
By the end, you can…
- ask 'What should I do?' in French using 'Qu'est-ce que je dois faire ?'
- ask 'Any suggestions?' in French using 'Des conseils ?'
- describe a simple problem and then ask for advice.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Qu'est-ce que je dois faire ?
What should I do?
kes-kuh zhuh dwah fehr
Standard, neutral way to ask for advice. Use when you face a problem and need direction.
Des conseils ?
Any suggestions?
day kon-sey
Informal and short. Often used after explaining a problem. The question mark indicates rising intonation.
Tu as des conseils ?
Do you have any suggestions?
tew ah day kon-sey
Informal, used with friends or peers. 'Tu' is singular informal.
Vous avez des conseils ?
Do you have any suggestions?
voo-zah-vay day kon-sey
Formal or plural. Use with strangers, elders, or multiple people.
Qu'est-ce que vous me conseillez ?
What do you advise me to do?
kes-kuh voo muh kon-sey-yay
More formal and explicit. Use in professional or polite contexts.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To ask 'What should I do?' use 'Qu'est-ce que je dois faire ?' This is a fixed expression. 'Je dois' means 'I must' or 'I should', and 'faire' means 'to do'. You can also use 'Qu'est-ce que je peux faire ?' (What can I do?) to ask for options. For 'Any suggestions?', the simplest form is 'Des conseils ?' with a rising intonation. To be more explicit, say 'Tu as des conseils ?' (informal) or 'Vous avez des conseils ?' (formal/plural). Example: 'J'ai perdu mes clés. Qu'est-ce que je dois faire ?' (I lost my keys. What should I do?)
When to use it
Use 'Qu'est-ce que je dois faire ?' when you are in a difficult situation and need clear guidance. It is neutral and works in most contexts. 'Des conseils ?' is more casual and often follows a statement of your problem. For example, 'Je ne sais pas quoi faire. Des conseils ?' (I don't know what to do. Any suggestions?). If you are speaking to someone older or in a formal setting, prefer 'Qu'est-ce que vous me conseillez ?' or 'Vous avez des conseils ?'. Avoid using 'Des conseils ?' with someone you just met unless the situation is informal.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
J'ai perdu mes clés. Qu'est-ce que je dois faire ?
I lost my keys. What should I do?zhey pehr-dew mey kley. kes-kuh zhuh dwah fehrTu devrais vérifier dans ton sac.
You should check in your bag.tew duh-vreh vey-ree-fyey dahn ton sakD'accord. Et si elles ne sont pas là ? Des conseils ?
Okay. And if they aren't there? Any suggestions?da-kor. ey see el nuh son pah la? day kon-seyTu peux demander à l'accueil. Ils ont peut-être des clés de rechange.
You can ask at reception. They might have spare keys.tew puh duh-mahn-dey ah la-koy. eel zon puh-tetr day kley duh ruh-shahnzhA little context goes a long way
In French, asking for advice with 'Des conseils ?' is common among friends and colleagues, but it can sound abrupt if used with strangers or in formal settings. For politeness, add 's'il vous plaît' (please) or use the formal 'Vous avez des conseils ?'. In Quebec, 'Des conseils ?' is also used informally, but you might hear 'T'as des conseils ?' with the informal 'tu'. Always consider the relationship and context.
One thing to watch for
Using 'Qu'est-ce que je dois faire ?' with a friend when a more casual phrase like 'Des conseils ?' would be more natural.
Try this instead: With friends, 'Des conseils ?' or 'Tu as des conseils ?' is more relaxed. 'Qu'est-ce que je dois faire ?' is not wrong, but it can sound a bit heavy in casual conversation. For example, instead of 'Qu'est-ce que je dois faire ?' with a close friend, say 'Des conseils ?' after explaining your problem.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask 'What should I do?' in French?
Show a sample answer
Qu'est-ce que je dois faire ?
This is the standard phrase. You could also say 'Qu'est-ce que je peux faire ?' but it means 'What can I do?' and is slightly different.
2What is the informal way to ask 'Any suggestions?' to a friend?
Show a sample answer
Des conseils ? or Tu as des conseils ?
Both are informal. 'Des conseils ?' is very short and relies on intonation. 'Tu as des conseils ?' is more explicit.
3Translate: 'I lost my phone. Any suggestions?'
Show a sample answer
J'ai perdu mon téléphone. Des conseils ?
This uses the informal 'Des conseils ?' after stating the problem. You could also say 'Qu'est-ce que je dois faire ?' for a more neutral tone.
To ask for advice in French, use 'Qu'est-ce que je dois faire ?' for 'What should I do?' and 'Des conseils ?' for 'Any suggestions?'. Adjust formality with 'tu' or 'vous' as needed.
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