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French Phrase

Ce colis est trop lourd ?

/sə kɔ.li ɛ tʁo luʁ/
Meaning"Is this package too heavy?"
💡

Meaning

You are asking whether the package you are holding, shipping, or looking at is too heavy. The speaker wants confirmation before lifting, moving, or paying extra for weight.

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When to use

Use this sentence at the post office, when a friend asks you to carry a box, while packing for a move, or any situation where the weight of a parcel matters. It’s informal but perfectly acceptable in everyday conversation.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Cecolisesttroplourd?

1

Ce (demonstrative adjective)

Ce introduces a masculine singular noun and means “this/that”. It agrees in gender and number with the noun that follows.

2

colis (masculine noun)

Colis means “package” or “parcel”. It is masculine, so adjectives that describe it stay in the masculine form.

3

est (être, 3rd person singular)

The verb être is used here as a linking verb to connect the subject (ce colis) with the adjective (trop lourd).

4

trop (adverb of quantity)

Trop means “too” or “excessively”. When placed before an adjective it intensifies it.

5

lourd (masculine adjective)

Lourd means “heavy”. Because the noun is masculine singular, the adjective stays in its masculine singular form.

6

Question intonation vs. inversion

In spoken French you can turn a statement into a question simply by raising your intonation at the end, as shown here. Formal written French often prefers “Ce colis est‑il trop lourd ?” or “Est‑ce que ce colis est trop lourd ?”.

🗨In Conversation

A

Ce colis est trop lourd ?

Is this package too heavy?

Oui, il faut le mettre sur le chariot.

Yes, you should put it on the cart.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Ce colis est le trop lourd ?

    Learners sometimes use “trop” as a noun (e.g., *le trop*). Here it is an adverb and must stay before the adjective.

  • Ce colis est trop lourd.

    Missing the question mark or rising intonation makes it a statement. To ask a question you need either a question mark, “Est‑ce que”, or inversion.

  • Cette colle est trop lourd ?

    Using the feminine form “colle” is incorrect; the noun is masculine.

↔Alternatives

  • Ce paquet est‑il trop lourd ?

    Is this parcel too heavy?

  • Est‑ce que ce colis est trop lourd ?

    Is this package too heavy?

  • Ce colis pèse‑t‑il trop ?

    Does this package weigh too much?

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Cultural Tip

In French, the most neutral way to ask a question is with “Est‑ce que…”. The version without inversion (just raising intonation) is common in spoken language and in informal writing. Remember that “colis” is the standard word for a parcel sent by mail, while “paquet” is more generic and can refer to a bag of groceries or a wrapped gift.