French Phrase
Ce distributeur marche ?
Meaning
The speaker is asking whether the dispenser (e.g., a vending machine, water dispenser, or ticket machine) is functioning properly.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are in a public place, office, or store and you want to check if a machine is operational before trying to use it.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Cedistributeurmarche?
Ce (demonstrative adjective)
Used before a masculine singular noun to mean 'this' or 'that'.
distributeur (noun)
A masculine noun meaning 'dispenser' or 'vending machine'.
marche (verb)
Third‑person singular present of the verb *marcher* meaning 'to work, to function'.
Question formation
In spoken French, a rising intonation can turn a statement into a question; written form often adds a question mark.
🗨In Conversation
Ce distributeur marche ?
Does this dispenser work?
Oui, il fonctionne parfaitement.
Yes, it works perfectly.
✕Common Mistakes
Ce distributeur est ?
Avoid using *est* (from *être*) here; the correct verb for a machine’s operation is *marcher* or *fonctionner*.
Ce distributeur marche.
Do not forget the question mark or rising intonation; without it the sentence becomes a statement.
Ce distributeur marche‑t‑il ?
The inversion form requires *marche‑t‑il* only when the verb ends with a vowel sound; here *marche* already ends with a vowel, so the hyphenated *t* is needed, but the simpler *Ce distributeur marche ?* is more natural in spoken French.
↔Alternatives
Est‑ce que ce distributeur fonctionne ?
Does this dispenser work?
Ce distributeur fonctionne‑t‑il ?
Is this dispenser working?
Ce distributeur est‑il en marche ?
Is this dispenser in operation?
Cultural Tip
In French, the verb *marcher* is commonly used for machines and devices, while *fonctionner* is a more formal synonym. Both are correct, but *marcher* sounds more colloquial. When speaking formally, you might prefer *Est‑ce que ce distributeur fonctionne ?*.