French Phrase
C'est important de protéger l'environnement ?
Meaning
Literally, "Is it important to protect the environment?" The speaker is asking for an opinion on the significance of environmental protection, using a casual, conversational tone.
When to use
Use this phrasing in informal discussions with friends, classmates, or colleagues when you want to gauge someone's view on ecological responsibility. It works well in classroom debates, social media comments, or everyday chat about climate topics.
✦Grammar Breakdown
C'estimportantdeprotégerl'environnement?
C'est = ce + est
The contraction "C'est" combines the demonstrative "ce" (this/that) with the verb "être" and is used to introduce a statement.
Adjective placement
"important" follows the verb "être" and agrees in gender/number with the subject (here neutral, so unchanged).
"de + infinitif" after adjectives
After adjectives like "important", French uses "de" + infinitive to express purpose or necessity.
Elision of the article
"l'" is the elided form of the definite article "le" before a vowel sound, as in "l'environnement".
Question intonation
Adding a question mark after a declarative structure creates an informal, rising‑intonation question in spoken French.
🗨In Conversation
C'est important de protéger l'environnement ?
Is it important to protect the environment?
Oui, absolument ! Sinon on risque de perdre la biodiversité et notre qualité de vie.
Yes, absolutely! Otherwise we risk losing biodiversity and our quality of life.
✕Common Mistakes
C'est important à protéger l'environnement.
The preposition after "important" is "de", not "à".
Il est important de protéger l'environnement ?
In spoken French, "C'est" is more natural for a quick question; using "Il est" sounds overly formal for this context.
C'est important de protéger l'environnement.
Missing the question intonation or mark; without "?" it becomes a statement, not a question.
↔Alternatives
Est‑il important de protéger l'environnement ?
Is it important to protect the environment?
Pensez‑vous qu'il faut protéger l'environnement ?
Do you think we should protect the environment?
Faut‑il protéger l'environnement ?
Should we protect the environment?
Cultural Tip
Environmental awareness is a hot topic in France, especially after the "gilets jaunes" protests and the rise of the "Semaine de la mobilité". While "C'est important de…" sounds natural in casual speech, formal writing prefers "Il est important de…". Also, French speakers often pair this question with a quick reference to concrete actions (e.g., recycling, reducing car use) to show they’re engaged rather than merely philosophical.