French Phrase
Demande au prof à ce sujet.
Meaning
This imperative sentence tells someone to ask the teacher about the matter at hand. It is a brief, informal way to suggest seeking clarification or more information from the teacher.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to advise a peer to get help from the teacher, especially in a casual setting such as a school hallway, a study group, or a quick chat on a messaging app.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Demandeauprofàcesujet.
Imperative (2nd person singular)
‘Demande’ is the affirmative imperative form of the verb ‘demander’ used when giving a direct command to ‘tu’.
Contraction ‘au’
‘au’ is the contraction of the preposition ‘à’ + the definite article ‘le’, required before masculine singular nouns like ‘prof’.
Prepositional phrase ‘à ce sujet’
‘à ce sujet’ means ‘about this subject/issue’; it follows the verb to indicate the topic of the request.
Informal noun ‘prof’
‘prof’ is a colloquial abbreviation of ‘professeur’; it is acceptable in spoken French and informal writing.
🗨In Conversation
Je ne comprends pas ce problème de maths.
I don’t understand this math problem.
Demande au prof à ce sujet.
Ask the teacher about it.
✕Common Mistakes
Demande le prof à ce sujet.
‘le prof’ needs the preposition ‘à’; the correct form is ‘au prof’.
Demande à le prof à ce sujet.
The contraction ‘au’ must be used instead of ‘à le’.
Demande au prof sur ce sujet.
The preposition after ‘demander’ is ‘à’, not ‘sur’.
↔Alternatives
Interroge le professeur à ce propos.
Question the teacher about this.
Pose ta question au prof concernant ce sujet.
Ask the teacher your question concerning this subject.
Demande au prof de t'expliquer cela.
Ask the teacher to explain that to you.
Cultural Tip
In French schools, students often refer to their teachers as ‘le prof’ when speaking with friends, but in a formal context you would say ‘le professeur’. The imperative without a subject pronoun is typical in spoken French; however, in written or very polite speech you might add ‘s’il te plaît’ (please) to soften the command.