French Phrase
Je dois déclarer la valeur de l'article ?
Meaning
The speaker is asking whether they are required to state the monetary value of a particular item, often in contexts such as customs declarations, insurance forms, or inventory reports.
When to use
Use this sentence when filling out paperwork that asks for the value of goods, when discussing insurance coverage, or when a customs officer asks you to specify the price of an article you are importing or exporting.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Jedoisdéclarerlavaleurdel'article?
Devoir + infinitif
The verb devoir followed by an infinitive expresses obligation (must, have to).
Question formation (statement + intonation)
In spoken French, a statement can become a question by raising intonation; more formal writing uses inversion.
Partitive article "de l'"
When a noun begins with a vowel or mute h, the partitive article "de" contracts to "de l'".
Pronoun‑verb agreement
"Je" takes the first‑person singular form "dois".
🗨In Conversation
Je dois déclarer la valeur de l'article ?
Do I have to declare the value of the item?
Oui, la douane l'exige pour le calcul des taxes.
Yes, customs require it for tax calculation.
✕Common Mistakes
Je doit déclarer la valeur de l'article ?
The verb must agree with the subject "Je"; use "dois" not "doit".
Je dois déclarer la valeur de le article ?
When the following noun starts with a vowel, "de le" contracts to "de l'".
Je dois déclarer la valeur de l'articles ?
The noun "article" is singular here; do not add an "s".
↔Alternatives
Dois‑je déclarer la valeur de l'article ?
Must I declare the value of the item?
Faut‑il que je déclare la valeur de l'article ?
Is it necessary for me to declare the value of the item?
Est‑ce que je dois déclarer la valeur de l'article ?
Do I need to declare the value of the item?
Cultural Tip
In formal French, especially in written or official contexts, the inverted form "Dois‑je…?" is preferred over the spoken‑style "Je dois…?". Also, when dealing with customs or legal documents, be precise with terminology: "valeur en douane" (customs value) may be required instead of a simple market price.