French · Everyday Verbs
"to ask" in French: demander
demander
To ask in French is demander. Je demande, tu demandes, il demande. Demander à quelqu'un means to ask someone. Demander quelque chose is to ask for something; poser une question is to ask a question.
In a shop
Je demande le prix avant d'acheter.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce demander
Say it
duh-mahn-DAY
/də.mɑ̃.de/
Demander is duh-mahn-DAY. The an is nasal. Past participle demandé ends with ay.
"to ask" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| demander | to ask / to ask for Infinitive. | Infinitive. |
| demander à quelqu'un | to ask someone Person asked takes à. | Person asked takes à. |
| je demande / tu demandes | I ask / you ask Present. | Present. |
| poser une question | to ask a question When you mean a question specifically. | When you mean a question specifically. |
How to use demander in real life
- 1In a shop
Je demande le prix avant d'acheter.
I ask the price before buying.
Demande + object.
- 2Favor
Je te demande un service.
I'm asking you a favor.
Demander quelque chose à quelqu'un pattern with te.
- 3Directions
Tu demandes à quelqu'un où est la gare ?
Are you asking someone where the station is?
Demander à quelqu'un.
Mistakes English speakers make with demander
Incorrect: Je demande lui une question.
Correct: Je lui pose une question. / Je lui demande…
For a question, poser une question is clearest; demander needs the right objects.
Incorrect: Demander le professeur (for asking the teacher).
Correct: Demander au professeur.
Person asked takes à: demander à.
Good to know
English ask covers ask someone and ask for something; French splits patterns with demander à and demander + object. For classroom Q&A, poser une question is the tidy phrase.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Needing help at a ticket window
ChatPal
Tu demandes un billet aller-retour ?
Are you asking for a round-trip ticket?
You
Oui. Je demande aussi l'horaire du soir.
Yes. I'm also asking for the evening schedule.
ChatPal
Parle fort, il y a du bruit.
Speak up—it's noisy.
You
Ok.
Okay.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"to ask" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to ask" in French
What is to ask in French?
Demander.
How do I ask someone something?
Demander quelque chose à quelqu'un.
How do I ask a question?
Poser une question is the clearest.
What is the je form?
Je demande.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
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- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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