French Phrase
Quels sont tes principaux objectifs ?
Meaning
Literally, “What are your main objectives?” It asks someone to list the most important goals they are pursuing, whether personal, academic, or professional.
When to use
Use this informal question with friends, classmates, or colleagues when you want to know the key aims that drive their current activities. In a formal setting replace ‘tes’ with ‘vos’. It works well in coaching, networking, or casual conversation.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Quelssonttesprincipauxobjectifs?
Quel(s) (interrogative adjective)
‘Quel’ agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies; here ‘objectifs’ is masculine plural, so we use ‘Quels’.
Être (sont)
Third‑person plural present of ‘être’, used because the subject ‘objectifs’ is plural.
Possessive adjective (tes)
‘Tes’ is the informal second‑person singular possessive, matching the plural noun ‘objectifs’.
Adjective agreement (principaux)
‘Principaux’ is a masculine plural adjective that must agree with ‘objectifs’.
Punctuation
In French, a space is placed before the question mark.
🗨In Conversation
Quels sont tes principaux objectifs ?
What are your main objectives?
Mes principaux objectifs sont de finir mon master et de trouver un stage.
My main objectives are to finish my master’s degree and to find an internship.
✕Common Mistakes
Quel sont tes principaux objectifs ?
‘Quel’ is singular; the noun ‘objectifs’ is plural, so you need ‘Quels’.
Quel est tes principaux objectifs ?
The verb must agree with the plural subject ‘objectifs’, so use ‘sont’.
Quels sont votre principaux objectifs ?
If you keep the informal tone, use ‘tes’; ‘votre’ is formal and would require ‘vos’.
Quels sont tes principal objectifs ?
The adjective must agree in number: ‘principaux’ for masculine plural.
↔Alternatives
Quels sont tes objectifs principaux ?
What are your main objectives?
Quelles sont tes priorités ?
What are your priorities?
Quels sont tes buts principaux ?
What are your main goals?
Cultural Tip
In French, the choice between ‘tes’ (informal) and ‘vos’ (formal) signals the level of familiarity. ‘Objectifs’ is often used in professional or academic contexts, while ‘buts’ sounds a bit more personal. Remember to keep a space before the question mark, a typographic rule that many learners overlook.