Portuguese Phrase
Tu te maquilles ?
Meaning
This question asks whether the listener applies makeup. It is informal and can be used to inquire about daily routine, a specific event, or simply to start a conversation about beauty habits.
When to use
Use it with people you know well—friends, siblings, classmates—or in casual settings such as a coffee break, a makeup‑tutorial video, or when planning a night out.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Tutemaquilles
Pronoun "Tu"
"Tu" is the informal second‑person singular subject pronoun used with friends, family, or peers.
Reflexive pronoun "te"
When a verb expresses an action you do to yourself, French uses a reflexive pronoun; here "te" refers back to the subject "tu".
Present tense of "maquiller"
"Maquiller" (to make‑up) is conjugated as "maquilles" for the 2nd person singular in the present indicative.
Question formation
In informal spoken French you can invert the verb and subject ("maquilles‑tu") or simply raise intonation after the statement; the written form often adds a question mark.
🗨In Conversation
Tu te maquilles ?
Do you wear makeup?
Oui, j’aime bien me maquiller le soir.
Yes, I like to put on makeup in the evening.
✕Common Mistakes
Tu te maquias ?
"Maquias" is Spanish; the French verb is "maquiller" and the correct 2nd person singular form is "maquilles".
Tu maquilles ?
Missing the reflexive pronoun "te" changes the meaning to "you make up (something else)" rather than "you put on makeup on yourself".
Tu te maquilles ?
In French typography, there should be a non‑breaking space before the question mark, but in digital text the space is optional; the more important error is forgetting the accent on "maquilles" (should be "maquilles", not "maquilles").
↔Alternatives
Est‑ce que tu te maquilles ?
Do you put on makeup?
Vous vous maquillez ?
Do you (plural/formal) put on makeup?
Tu te maquilles souvent ?
Do you wear makeup often?
Cultural Tip
In France, talking about makeup is perfectly normal among peers, but it’s less common to ask strangers this question unless you’re in a beauty‑focused context (e.g., a makeup class or a salon). Using the formal "vous" version shows respect to older people or acquaintances you don’t know well. Also, note that French speakers often use the verb "se maquiller" reflexively, never "maquiller" without the pronoun when referring to oneself.