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French Phrase

C'est une comédie ou un drame ?

/sɛ.t‿yn kɔ.me.di u‿œ̃ dʁam/
Meaning"Is it a comedy or a drama?"
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Meaning

This question asks whether something – typically a film, play, TV series, or book – belongs to the comedy genre or the drama genre. It’s a neutral way to inquire about the tone and style of the work.

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When to use

Use it when you’re discussing the genre of a cultural work with friends, classmates, or a salesperson. It works in informal conversation as well as in a more formal setting like a film club meeting.

✦Grammar Breakdown

C'estunecomédieouundrame?

1

C'est (Ce + est)

C'est is the contraction of the demonstrative pronoun ce and the verb être, used to identify or describe something.

2

Indefinite articles

Use une for feminine nouns (comédie) and un for masculine nouns (drame). The article must agree with the gender of the noun.

3

ou vs où

ou (without accent) means 'or'. où (with accent) means 'where' – do not confuse the two.

4

Liaison

In spoken French, a liaison occurs between C'est and une: /sɛ.t‿yn/.

🗨In Conversation

A

C'est une comédie ou un drame ?

Is it a comedy or a drama?

C'est une comédie, je trouve ça très drôle.

It’s a comedy, I find it very funny.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • C'est une comédie où un drame ?

    Use ou (no accent) for 'or'. où means 'where'.

  • C'est une drame ou une comédie ?

    drame is masculine; the correct article is un.

  • Est‑ce que c'est une comédie ou un drame ?

    While grammatically correct, the phrase is longer than needed in everyday speech; C'est une comédie ou un drame ? is more natural.

↔Alternatives

  • Est‑ce une comédie ou un drame ?

    Is it a comedy or a drama?

  • S'agit‑il d'une comédie ou d'un drame ?

    Is it a comedy or a drama?

  • C’est plutôt une comédie ou un drame ?

    Is it more of a comedy or a drama?

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Cultural Tip

In French, the word drame can refer to any serious, emotionally intense work, not only to the theatrical genre. When you ask about a film, people often respond with the genre but may also add their personal impression (e.g., 'c’est très émouvant'). Remember to keep the accent on the e in comédie and drame, and never write 'ou' with a grave accent unless you mean 'where'.