French Phrase
Tu comptes acheter bientôt ?
Meaning
A casual question asking whether the listener intends to make a purchase in the near future. It conveys curiosity about the person's plans without demanding a detailed answer.
When to use
Use this sentence in informal conversations with friends, family, or classmates when you want to know if they are about to buy something – a ticket, a gadget, a gift, etc. It’s too familiar for a business meeting or a formal email.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Tucomptesacheterbientôt?
Subject pronoun "Tu"
Second‑person singular informal pronoun used for friends, family, or peers.
Verb "comptes" (compter)
Present‑tense, second‑person singular of "compter" meaning ‘to intend/plan’. It is followed by an infinitive.
Infinitive "acheter"
The verb ‘to buy’ stays in the infinitive after "comptes".
Adverb "bientôt"
Means ‘soon’; placed after the infinitive in informal questions.
🗨In Conversation
Tu comptes acheter bientôt ?
Are you planning to buy soon?
Oui, je vais prendre le nouveau téléphone la semaine prochaine.
Yes, I’ll get the new phone next week.
✕Common Mistakes
Tu comptes à acheter bientôt ?
The verb "compter" is directly followed by an infinitive, not by "à".
Tu est acheter bientôt ?
Using "est" (is) changes the meaning; you need the verb "comptes" to express intention.
Tu comptes bientôt acheter ?
The adverb should follow the infinitive in informal speech.
↔Alternatives
Tu vas acheter bientôt ?
Are you going to buy soon?
Tu as l'intention d'acheter bientôt ?
Do you intend to buy soon?
Tu prévois d'acheter bientôt ?
Do you foresee buying soon?
Cultural Tip
In everyday French, "comptes" is a natural way to ask about someone's plans. In more formal contexts you would replace it with "prévoyez" or "avez‑vous l'intention de". Also, avoid putting "bientôt" before the verb (e.g., *Bientôt tu comptes acheter*), which sounds literary rather than conversational.