French · Real conversations
Ask for a progress update naturally in French
An update request can be conversational, tied to a specific delivery, or considerate of a colleague's time. Name the subject so the person knows what information is needed.
Three ways to say it
Comment avance le projet ?
How is the project going?
Ask about progress in a routine colleague conversation.
Avez-vous des nouvelles de la livraison ?
Do you have an update on the delivery?
Request new information about a specific delivery.
Quand tu auras un moment, tu pourrais me dire où on en est ?
When you have a moment, could you let me know where things stand?
Ask for the current status while acknowledging the person's availability.
Avoid translating word by word
English 'where things stand' asks about the current state of progress, not where objects are physically standing. Use the complete expression for status or progress shown in the target language.
See the difference in context
Discussing a colleague's project
Je travaille sur le nouveau projet.
I've been working on the new project.
Comment avance le projet ?
How is the project going?
Following up about a delivery
Vous m'avez demandé des nouvelles de la livraison hier.
You asked me about the delivery yesterday.
Avez-vous des nouvelles de la livraison ?
Do you have an update on the delivery?
Your turn
Ask a colleague for the current status when they have a moment. State the timing condition and the information you need.
Reveal a sample reply
Quand tu auras un moment, tu pourrais me dire où on en est ?
When you have a moment, could you let me know where things stand?
This speaking goal in other languages
A note on speaking French
Use vous with strangers, staff, and people you address formally; use tu when that relationship is established. Je voudrais and pourriez-vous can make a request considerate. The most appropriate choice depends on the person and the situation.
Keep accents and apostrophes. A familiar spoken expression may differ from its literal English translation. Read the complete line, including the pronoun and the words that connect the request.
