French Phrase
Ils passent quel genre de films ?
Meaning
This phrase is used to inquire about the type or genre of films being shown, typically at a cinema, on television, or at a festival. It directly translates to "They are showing what kind of films?" and is a common way to ask about the program.
When to use
You would use this phrase when you want to know the genre of movies available at a specific venue, like a movie theater, or what's scheduled on a TV channel. It's a practical question for planning an outing or deciding what to watch.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Ilspassentquelgenredefilms?
Ils passent
'Ils passent' means 'they are showing' or 'they are broadcasting'. The verb 'passer' is commonly used in French for films, shows, or music being played or screened.
Quel genre de
'Quel genre de' translates to 'what kind of' or 'what type of'. It's a common interrogative phrase used to ask about categories or types of things, like music, books, or, in this case, films.
Films
'Films' is the plural of 'film' (movie). In French, 'film' is a masculine noun. Note that the 's' at the end is silent.
🗨In Conversation
On va au cinéma ce soir ?
Shall we go to the cinema tonight?
Oui, bonne idée ! Ils passent quel genre de films ?
Yes, good idea! What kind of movies are they showing?
✕Common Mistakes
Ils montrent quel genre de films ?
While 'montrer' means 'to show', 'passer' is the more natural and idiomatic verb used in French when referring to films being screened or broadcast.
Quel genre de films ils passent ?
Although grammatically understandable, in standard interrogative sentences, the subject-verb inversion or 'est-ce que' construction is preferred. Placing 'ils passent' at the end is more informal.
Ils passent quels types de films ?
'Genre' is more commonly used than 'type' when referring to categories of films (e.g., horror, comedy, drama).
↔Alternatives
Quels films sont à l'affiche ?
What movies are showing?
Quel est le programme des films ?
What is the movie schedule?
Y a quoi au cinéma ?
What's on at the cinema? (informal)
Cultural Tip
French cinema has a rich history and is a significant part of French culture. When asking about films, it's common to be specific about genres, as there's a wide appreciation for diverse cinematic styles. French people often discuss films in detail, so knowing how to ask about genres is a good starting point for engaging in such conversations.