French Phrase
Les invités, ils doivent se comporter comment ?
Meaning
The speaker is asking for the proper behavior expected of the guests. It’s a colloquial way to request etiquette guidelines for people who are invited to an event or a home.
When to use
Use this informal question when you’re planning a party, a wedding, or a dinner and want to clarify house rules, dress code, or general conduct. It’s typical in casual conversation among friends, family, or event organizers.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Lesinvités,ilsdoiventsecomportercomment?
Topic‑Comment Structure
In spoken French a noun can be fronted as a topic (Les invités) and then repeated with a pronoun (ils) for emphasis.
Reflexive Verb
Se comporter is a reflexive verb; the reflexive pronoun (se) agrees with the subject.
Modal + Infinitive
Doivent + infinitive expresses obligation (must). The modal verb agrees with the plural subject.
Question with « comment »
When « comment » follows the verb, the sentence stays in declarative order (… se comporter comment ?) – a common spoken pattern.
Redundancy of the Pronoun
The pronoun « ils » is optional; it adds emphasis but can be omitted in more neutral speech.
🗨In Conversation
Les invités, ils doivent se comporter comment ?
How should the guests behave?
Ils doivent arriver à l’heure, ne pas parler trop fort et apporter un petit cadeau si c’est un dîner.
They should arrive on time, not speak too loudly, and bring a small gift if it’s a dinner.
✕Common Mistakes
Comment les invités ils doivent se comporter ?
The adverb « comment » should follow the verb, not precede the subject; also avoid double subject placement.
Les invités, ils doit se comporter comment ?
The modal verb must agree with the plural subject; use « doivent ».
Comment se comporter les invités ?
While acceptable in spoken French, learners often mistakenly place « comment » before the verb, which sounds overly formal.
↔Alternatives
Comment les invités doivent‑ils se comporter ?
How should the guests behave?
Comment les invités doivent se comporter ?
How should the guests behave?
De quelle façon les invités doivent se comporter ?
In what way should the guests behave?
Les invités doivent se comporter de quelle manière ?
In what manner should the guests behave?
Cultural Tip
In French culture, guests are expected to be punctual, bring a small token (like a bottle of wine) for a dinner, and avoid dominating the conversation. Using the informal structure with a fronted topic and a repeated pronoun is common in everyday speech, but avoid it in formal writing or official invitations where a more polished form such as « Comment les invités doivent‑ils se comporter ? » is preferred.