French Phrase
Il y a combien de personnes dans ta famille ?
Meaning
Literally, 'There are how many people in your family?' It is the standard way to ask someone how many members their family has. The phrase is neutral and can be used in both casual and semi‑formal contexts.
When to use
Use this question when you want to know the size of someone's immediate family, for example during introductions, family‑oriented conversations, or when filling out a questionnaire about household composition.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Ilyacombiendepersonnesdanstafamille?
Il y a
The impersonal expression 'il y a' means 'there is/are' and is used to state existence or quantity.
Combien de + noun
To ask about quantity, use 'combien de' followed directly by the noun (no article).
Possessive adjective (ta)
Use 'ta' (your, informal) before a feminine singular noun; 'votre' is the polite/formal form.
Preposition 'dans'
The preposition 'dans' means 'in' and introduces the location or container.
🗨In Conversation
Il y a combien de personnes dans ta famille ?
How many people are there in your family?
Nous sommes cinq : mes parents, mon frère, ma sœur et moi.
There are five of us: my parents, my brother, my sister and me.
✕Common Mistakes
Il y a combien personnes dans ta famille ?
The preposition 'de' is required after 'combien' when it modifies a noun.
Il y a combien de personnes dans ta famille ?
Use 'votre' for formal/polite contexts; 'ta' is informal.
↔Alternatives
Combien de personnes compte ta famille ?
How many people does your family count?
Ta famille, elle est composée de combien de personnes ?
Your family, how many people is it made up of?
Quel est le nombre de membres de ta famille ?
What is the number of members in your family?
Cultural Tip
In French‑speaking cultures, family size can be a personal topic, so use the informal 'ta' only with people you know well. With strangers, elders, or in professional settings, switch to the polite form: 'Il y a combien de personnes dans votre famille ?' Also, French families often include grandparents in the household, so be prepared for a broader definition of 'famille'.