French · Real conversations
How to say “Do you mean ...?” in French
Check your interpretation before answering or acting.
Vous voulez dire … ?
Do you mean …?
Complete the question with the meaning you think the person intended.
Use it in three situations
Confirming a day
Vous voulez dire vendredi ?
Do you mean Friday?
Checking a direction
Vous voulez dire la gare près de la rivière ?
Do you mean the station near the river?
Understanding a suggestion
Vous voulez dire qu'on devrait y aller ensemble ?
Do you mean we should go together?
What to watch for
This is a checking question, so leave room for the person to correct you.
Read the whole expression before replacing a detail. The natural wording may use a different order or construction from the English sentence.
Your turn
Imagine repairing a conversation. Say this in French: Do you mean the station near the river?
Reveal a sample reply
Vous voulez dire la gare près de la rivière ?
Do you mean the station near the river?
Build a useful exchange
Check a meaning and leave with something you can use.
This expression 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.
