French Phrase
C'est un vrai pote ?
Meaning
Literally, 'Is he/she a real buddy?' It is an informal way to ask whether someone is a genuine, trustworthy friend, often implying that the speaker is testing the person's loyalty or authenticity.
When to use
Use this phrase in casual conversation with peers, especially when you’re unsure about someone’s reliability or want to confirm that a person is more than just an acquaintance.
✦Grammar Breakdown
C'estunvraipote?
C'est (ce + est)
C'est is the contraction of the demonstrative pronoun ce (this/that) and the verb être (to be), used to identify or describe something.
Indefinite article un
Un is the masculine singular indefinite article, equivalent to 'a' or 'an' in English.
Adjective agreement – vrai
Vrai means 'real' or 'true' and agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies; here it stays masculine singular because pote is masculine.
Pote (slang)
Pote is informal slang for a friend or buddy, similar to English 'pal' or 'mate'.
Question intonation
When a statement ends with a question mark, French typically raises the intonation at the end, without needing inversion.
🗨In Conversation
C'est un vrai pote ?
Is he a real buddy?
Oui, il m'aide toujours quand j'ai besoin.
Yes, he always helps me when I need it.
✕Common Mistakes
C'est un vraie pote ?
Use the masculine form 'vrai' because 'pote' is masculine; 'vraie' would be correct only with a feminine noun like 'amie'.
Il est un vrai pote ?
When describing a specific person, you can also use 'il est' if the subject is already known, but 'c'est' is more natural for this informal question.
C'est un vrai pote, monsieur.
Avoid using 'pote' in formal writing or with strangers; choose 'ami' instead.
↔Alternatives
C'est un vrai ami ?
Is he a true friend?
C'est un vrai copain ?
Is he a real pal?
C'est une vraie pote ?
Is she a real buddy?
Il est vraiment mon pote.
He is really my buddy.
Cultural Tip
Pote is very colloquial and is mostly used among young people or in relaxed settings. In formal contexts you’d use ami (friend) or camarade (comrade). Also remember that the adjective must match the gender of the noun: for a female friend you’d say « une vraie pote » or more commonly « une vraie amie ».