Answering Questions After a Talk in French: Key Phrases for Confident Q&A
Learn to handle the Q&A session after a French presentation with phrases like 'C'est une bonne question' and 'Je pense que...'. Build confidence for intermediate learners.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
You've just finished your presentation in French, and now comes the Q&A. This part can be intimidating, but with the right phrases, you can manage it confidently. In this lesson, you'll learn how to acknowledge questions, give yourself time to think, express opinions, and handle difficult situations politely. We'll focus on standard French used in professional and academic settings, with notes on regional variations where relevant.
By the end, you can…
- acknowledge a question politely and gain thinking time.
- express my opinion and give a structured answer.
- ask for clarification or defer a question appropriately.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
C'est une bonne question.
That's a good question.
say tewn bun kess-tyon
Use to acknowledge the question and show appreciation. It's polite and buys you a moment to think.
Je pense que...
I think that...
zhuh pahnss kuh
Introduce your opinion. Follow with a clause, e.g., 'Je pense que c'est une bonne idée.'
Pouvez-vous répéter, s'il vous plaît ?
Can you repeat, please?
poo-vay voo ray-pay-tay, seel voo pleh
Use when you didn't hear or understand. 'S'il vous plaît' makes it polite.
Je ne suis pas sûr(e), mais je dirais que...
I'm not sure, but I would say that...
zhuh nuh swee pah sewr, meh zhuh dee-reh kuh
Use when you're uncertain. The conditional 'dirais' softens your answer.
Je peux y revenir plus tard ?
Can I come back to that later?
zhuh puh ee ruh-vuh-neer plew tar
Use to defer a question if you need more time or information.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To structure your answer, use 'Je pense que...' or 'Je dirais que...' followed by a clause. For example, 'Je pense que cette approche est efficace.' To add a reason, use 'parce que' (because): 'Je pense que c'est utile parce que ça résout le problème.' To express uncertainty, use 'peut-être que...' (maybe): 'Peut-être que nous devrions considérer...' These patterns help you sound thoughtful and organized.
When to use it
Use 'C'est une bonne question' when you want to acknowledge the questioner and gain time. Use 'Pouvez-vous répéter ?' if you didn't hear. If you don't know the answer, say 'Je ne sais pas, mais je peux chercher.' (I don't know, but I can find out.) To defer, use 'Je peux y revenir plus tard ?' In formal settings, use 'vous' forms; with friends, 'tu' forms like 'Tu peux répéter ?' are fine. In Quebec, 'Pouvez-vous répéter ?' is standard, but informal 'Peux-tu répéter ?' is common.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Merci pour votre présentation. J'ai une question : comment avez-vous obtenu ces résultats ?
Thank you for your presentation. I have a question: how did you obtain these results?mer-see poor vo-truh pray-zahn-tah-syon. zhay ewn kess-tyon : ko-mahn ta-vay voo ob-tuh-noo say ray-zool-tahC'est une bonne question. Je pense que nous avons utilisé une méthode mixte, combinant des entretiens et des analyses statistiques.
That's a good question. I think we used a mixed method, combining interviews and statistical analyses.say tewn bun kess-tyon. zhuh pahnss kuh noo za-vohn ew-tee-lee-zay ewn may-tod meext, kohn-bee-nahn day zahn-truh-tyin ay day za-na-leez sta-tees-teekD'accord. Et comment avez-vous assuré la validité des données ?
Okay. And how did you ensure the validity of the data?da-kor. ay ko-mahn ta-vay voo a-soo-ray la va-lee-dee-tay day do-nayJe ne suis pas sûr de comprendre. Pouvez-vous préciser votre question ?
I'm not sure I understand. Can you clarify your question?zhuh nuh swee pah sewr duh kohn-prahn-druh. poo-vay voo pray-see-zay vo-truh kess-tyonA little context goes a long way
In French-speaking cultures, politeness in Q&A is often shown through formal address ('vous') and phrases like 's'il vous plaît'. In academic or professional settings, it's common to acknowledge the question before answering. In informal settings, especially among younger speakers in France, 'tu' may be used, but it's safer to use 'vous' unless invited otherwise. In Quebec, 'tu' tends to be used more readily in workplace and everyday professional interaction than in France, though 'vous' remains the norm for formal presentations and with unfamiliar senior colleagues.
One thing to watch for
Using 'Je suis d'accord' to mean 'I agree with the question' or as a filler.
Try this instead: 'Je suis d'accord' means 'I agree' with an opinion, not with a question. To acknowledge a question, say 'C'est une bonne question' or 'Merci pour votre question'. For example, if someone asks 'Pensez-vous que c'est efficace ?', you can say 'C'est une bonne question. Je pense que oui.'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you politely ask someone to repeat a question in a formal setting?
Show a sample answer
Pouvez-vous répéter, s'il vous plaît ?
This uses the formal 'vous' and adds 's'il vous plaît' for politeness. In informal settings, 'Peux-tu répéter ?' is also correct.
2What phrase can you use to express an uncertain opinion?
Show a sample answer
Je ne suis pas sûr(e), mais je dirais que...
This phrase combines uncertainty with a conditional verb to soften your statement. Alternatives include 'Peut-être que...' or 'Il me semble que...'.
3How do you defer a question to later?
Show a sample answer
Je peux y revenir plus tard ?
This politely asks to return to the question later. You could also say 'Puis-je y revenir plus tard ?' for a more formal tone.
In French Q&A, start by acknowledging the question, use set phrases to structure your answer, and don't hesitate to ask for clarification or defer politely. Practice these phrases to build confidence.
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