French Phrase
Tu pars maintenant ?
Meaning
Literally, “You leave now?” It is an informal way to ask someone if they are about to go, i.e., “Are you leaving now?” The question is conveyed by the rising intonation and the question mark.
When to use
Use this phrase with people you address as ‘tu’ – friends, siblings, close colleagues, or anyone you have an informal relationship with. It works well when you notice someone gathering their things or when you need to confirm a sudden departure.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Tuparsmaintenant?
Subject pronoun (tu)
‘Tu’ is the informal second‑person singular pronoun used with friends, family, or people you know well.
Verb ‘partir’ (present tense)
‘pars’ is the 2nd‑person singular present‑tense form of the verb ‘partir’ (to leave).
Adverb placement
In informal spoken French, the adverb ‘maintenant’ (now) normally follows the verb.
Question intonation vs. inversion
The sentence uses rising intonation rather than inversion (e.g., ‘pars‑tu maintenant ?’) which is typical in casual speech.
🗨In Conversation
Tu pars maintenant ?
Are you leaving now?
Oui, j’ai un rendez‑vous dans cinq minutes.
Yes, I have an appointment in five minutes.
✕Common Mistakes
Tu es pars maintenant ?
‘être’ is not used with ‘partir’; the correct verb is ‘partir’ → ‘tu pars’.
Maintenant tu pars ?
Learners sometimes place the adverb before the verb (e.g., ‘maintenant tu pars’) which sounds unnatural in casual speech.
Tu pars maintenant.
Without a rising intonation or a question mark, the sentence becomes a statement: ‘You are leaving now.’ Add a question mark or use ‘est‑ce que’ for clarity.
↔Alternatives
Est‑ce que tu pars maintenant ?
Are you leaving now?
Tu vas partir maintenant ?
Are you going to leave now?
Vous partez maintenant ?
Are you (formal/plural) leaving now?
Tu pars tout de suite ?
Are you leaving right away?
Cultural Tip
In French, the choice between ‘tu’ and ‘vous’ signals the level of familiarity. Using ‘tu’ with strangers can be seen as overly familiar, so reserve this phrase for people you know well. Also, French speakers often prefer the ‘est‑ce que’ construction for polite questions, especially in formal settings.