French Phrase
Tu sais comment réparer cette étagère cassée ?
Meaning
Literally, “Do you know how to fix this broken shelf?” It is a casual way to ask someone if they have the know‑how to repair a shelf that is currently broken.
When to use
Use this sentence in informal settings with friends, family, or coworkers when you need help fixing a piece of furniture. It’s not appropriate in very formal contexts; switch to ‘vous’ or a more polite construction if needed.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Tusaiscommentréparercetteétagèrecassée?
Savoir (sais)
The verb savoir is used to ask if someone knows how to do something; it is conjugated here in the present tense, second person singular.
Indirect question with comment
‘Comment’ introduces an indirect question, followed by an infinitive verb (réparer). No inversion is needed.
Infinitive after comment
After ‘comment’, the verb stays in the infinitive form, not conjugated.
Demonstrative adjective ‘cette’
‘Cette’ points to a specific feminine noun that follows it (étagère).
Adjective agreement – cassée
‘Cassée’ is a past‑participle used as an adjective; it agrees in gender and number with the noun ‘étagère’ (feminine singular).
🗨In Conversation
Tu sais comment réparer cette étagère cassée ?
Do you know how to fix this broken shelf?
Oui, il faut d'abord resserrer les vis et vérifier le support.
Yes, first you need to tighten the screws and check the support.
✕Common Mistakes
Tu sais comment réparé cette étagère cassée ?
After ‘comment’, the verb must stay in the infinitive, not the past participle.
Tu sais est‑ce comment réparer cette étagère cassée ?
Do not combine ‘est‑ce’ with ‘comment’ in the same clause; choose one structure.
Tu sais comment réparer cette étagère casse ?
The adjective must agree with the noun; use ‘cassée’ for a feminine singular noun.
↔Alternatives
Sais‑tu comment réparer cette étagère cassée ?
Do you know how to fix this broken shelf?
Peux‑tu me dire comment réparer cette étagère cassée ?
Can you tell me how to fix this broken shelf?
Est‑ce que tu sais réparer cette étagère cassée ?
Do you know how to repair this broken shelf?
Cultural Tip
In French, the informal ‘tu’ is reserved for people you know well. If you’re speaking to a stranger, a neighbour you don’t know, or a professional (e.g., a carpenter), use ‘vous’ or a more polite phrasing like ‘Pouvez‑vous m’aider à réparer…’. Also, French speakers often prefer the verb ‘réparer’ for fixing objects, while ‘arranger’ can sound less technical.