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French Phrase

Ils font des réductions ?

/il fɔ̃ de ʁedyksjɔ̃/
Meaning"Are they giving discounts?"
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Meaning

Literally “Are they making reductions?” In everyday French it means “Are they giving discounts?” The speaker is asking whether a shop, brand, or service is currently offering a price cut.

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When to use

Use this sentence when you are in a store, market, or online shop and you want to confirm if a discount is available. It works both in a casual conversation with a friend and in a polite exchange with a salesperson.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Ilsfontdesréductions?

1

Subject pronoun (Ils)

Third‑person plural pronoun used for a group of males or a mixed‑gender group.

2

Present tense of faire (font)

Faire is an irregular verb; its 3rd‑person plural present form is font.

3

Partitive article (des)

Des is the plural partitive article, used here before a countable noun to mean “some”.

4

Noun (réductions)

Réduction = discount; the plural form is réductions.

5

Question intonation

In spoken French, the rising intonation at the end signals a yes/no question.

🗨In Conversation

A

Ils font des réductions ?

Are they giving discounts?

Oui, 20 % aujourd’hui seulement.

Yes, 20 % today only.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Ils font des réduction ?

    The noun must agree in number with the article des; use the plural réductions.

  • Ils faire des réductions ?

    Do not use the infinitive faire after a subject; you need the conjugated form font.

  • Ils font la réductions ?

    If you want to ask about a specific discount, use the definite article la: « Ils font la réduction ? » but this is rare; the partitive des is the natural choice.

↔Alternatives

  • Y a‑t‑il des réductions ?

    Are there any discounts?

  • Est‑ce qu’ils offrent des réductions ?

    Do they offer discounts?

  • Proposent‑ils des remises ?

    Do they propose discounts?

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Cultural Tip

In France the word « réduction » is common in retail, but « remise » is equally frequent and sometimes sounds a bit more formal. When you ask a salesperson, a polite tone (e.g., “Excusez‑moi, ils font des réductions ?”) is appreciated. Also, French shops often display the discount percentage, so you can also ask “Quel est le pourcentage de réduction ?”