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French Phrase

Tu en penses quoi ?

/ty ɑ̃ pɑ̃s kwa/
Meaning"What do you think about it?"
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Meaning

This phrase is an informal and very common way to ask for someone's opinion on a specific topic or situation. The 'en' refers back to something previously mentioned or understood in the context, making it a concise way to inquire about their thoughts on 'it' or 'that'. It's a direct and casual question.

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When to use

Use this phrase when you're speaking with friends, family, or people you know well in informal settings. It's perfect for getting a quick opinion on a movie, a plan, a new idea, or a recent event. Avoid using it in formal business meetings or with strangers.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Tuenpensesquoi

1

Tu

'Tu' is the informal singular subject pronoun, meaning 'you'. It's used when addressing a single person with whom you have a familiar relationship.

2

en

'En' is an adverbial pronoun that replaces a phrase introduced by 'de' (of/about) or a quantity. Here, it replaces 'de ça' (of that/about it), referring to something previously mentioned.

3

penses

'Penses' is the 'tu' form of the verb 'penser' (to think) in the present tense. It means 'you think'.

4

quoi

'Quoi' is an interrogative pronoun meaning 'what'. In informal spoken French, it often appears at the end of a question, especially when the subject-verb inversion is not used.

🗨In Conversation

A

J'ai regardé le nouveau film hier soir. C'était pas mal.

I watched the new movie last night. It wasn't bad.

Ah oui ? Tu en penses quoi ?

Oh really? What do you think about it?

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Qu'est-ce que tu penses de ça?

    While grammatically correct, 'de ça' is often replaced by the pronoun 'en' when referring to something already known, making the phrase more natural and concise in French.

  • Vous en pensez quoi?

    Using 'vous' makes the phrase more formal. While not strictly 'wrong', it changes the register significantly from the informal 'tu en penses quoi?'

↔Alternatives

  • Qu'en penses-tu ?

    What do you think of it?

  • Qu'est-ce que tu en penses ?

    What do you think of it?

  • Quel est ton avis ?

    What's your opinion?

  • Comment tu trouves ça ?

    How do you find that?

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Cultural Tip

French communication often values directness in informal settings, and 'Tu en penses quoi ?' is a prime example. It's a very common and natural way to engage in conversation and show interest in another person's perspective. However, remember to use 'vous' forms (e.g., 'Qu'en pensez-vous ?') when speaking to elders, superiors, or people you don't know well, as formality is still highly valued in appropriate contexts.