French Phrase
Tu peux le réparer ?
Meaning
Literally, “Can you fix it?” It is an informal request asking whether the listener is able to repair a specific object that has already been identified.
When to use
Use this phrase with people you know well—friends, classmates, coworkers—when you need a quick, informal check on someone’s ability to fix something. In more formal settings, switch to ‘Vous pouvez le réparer ?’ or add ‘s’il vous plaît’.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Tupeuxleréparer?
Subject pronoun (Tu)
‘Tu’ is the informal second‑person singular pronoun used with friends, family, or peers.
Modal verb pouvoir (peux)
‘Peux’ is the present‑tense form of ‘pouvoir’ (to be able to) for ‘tu’. It is followed by an infinitive.
Direct object pronoun (le)
‘Le’ replaces a masculine singular noun that has already been mentioned (e.g., le téléphone, le vélo).
Infinitive verb (réparer)
The infinitive follows the modal verb and expresses the action that the subject may perform.
Yes‑no question intonation
In spoken French, raising the pitch at the end of the sentence turns a statement into a question without changing word order.
🗨In Conversation
Tu peux le réparer ?
Can you fix it?
Oui, je le regarde tout de suite.
Yes, I’ll take a look at it right away.
✕Common Mistakes
Tu peux réparer le ?
The object pronoun must come before the infinitive when using a modal verb.
Tu peux le réparer.
Missing the question intonation or a question mark makes it sound like a statement.
Vous peux le réparer ?
‘Vous’ pairs with ‘pouvez’, not ‘peux’. Use ‘Vous pouvez le réparer ?’ for the formal version.
↔Alternatives
Est‑ce que tu peux le réparer ?
Can you fix it?
Peux‑tu le réparer ?
Can you fix it?
Tu serais capable de le réparer ?
Would you be able to fix it?
Vous pouvez le réparer, s’il vous plaît ?
Could you fix it, please?
Cultural Tip
In French, the level of politeness is conveyed by the choice of pronoun (tu vs. vous) and by adding ‘s’il te plaît’ or ‘s’il vous plaît’. Even in informal settings, adding a brief ‘merci’ after the request is considered courteous. Also, French speakers often use a slight pause before the rising intonation to signal a question, especially in spoken conversation.