French Phrase
Tu te maquilles ?
Meaning
Literally ‘You (are) putting on makeup?’, this question asks whether the listener is currently applying cosmetics. It can also be used more generally to ask if someone usually wears makeup.
When to use
Use this informal question with people you address with ‘tu’ – friends, classmates, siblings, or a partner. It works in casual settings such as getting ready together, chatting about beauty routines, or teasing a friend about a new look.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Tutemaquilles?
Subject pronoun (Tu)
‘Tu’ is the informal second‑person singular pronoun used with friends, family, or peers.
Reflexive pronoun (te)
‘te’ marks that the action of the verb is performed on the subject itself; many verbs of personal care are reflexive in French.
Present tense of ‘maquiller’
‘maquilles’ is the 2nd person singular present‑indicative form of the verb ‘maquiller’ (to apply makeup).
Forming yes‑no questions
In spoken French, simply raising intonation at the end of a declarative sentence (Tu te maquilles ?) turns it into a question.
Optional ‘Est‑ce que’
For a more formal or written question you can prepend ‘Est‑ce que’: ‘Est‑ce que tu te maquilles ?’
🗨In Conversation
Tu te maquilles ?
Are you putting on makeup?
Oui, j’ai un rendez‑vous ce soir.
Yes, I have a date tonight.
✕Common Mistakes
Vous te maquilles ?
Mixes formal ‘vous’ with the singular reflexive pronoun ‘te’; use ‘Vous vous maquillez’ instead.
Tu maquilles ?
Missing the reflexive pronoun; ‘maquiller’ without ‘se’ means ‘to makeup someone else’.
Tu te maquille ?
Verb agreement error – the 2nd person singular present ends in –es, not –e.
↔Alternatives
Est‑ce que tu te maquilles ?
Do you put on makeup?
Tu te fais du maquillage ?
Are you doing your makeup?
Tu te pomponnes ?
Are you getting all dolled up?
Cultural Tip
In France, talking about makeup is usually done in a relaxed, informal tone. Using ‘tu’ signals familiarity; with strangers or older people you would switch to ‘vous’: ‘Vous vous maquillez ?’. Also, the reflexive form is essential – saying ‘Tu maquilles’ would mean ‘You makeup (someone else)’, which is a common mistake for beginners.