Significado
To inquire about something to gain knowledge.
Contexto cultural
The 'Bonjour' rule is absolute. Asking for a 'renseignement' without a greeting is seen as treating the person like a machine. In Quebec, 'demander une information' is slightly more common in casual speech than in France, but 'renseignement' remains the formal standard. Belgians might use 's'il vous plaît' at the beginning of the sentence more often than the French when asking for info. Swiss French is very similar to France in this regard, but the tone might be even more formal and soft-spoken.
The 'Petit' Trick
Adding 'petit' (small) before 'renseignement' makes you sound more native and less intrusive. 'Un petit renseignement'.
No 'Pour'!
Never say 'demander pour'. It's the most common English-speaker mistake.
Significado
To inquire about something to gain knowledge.
The 'Petit' Trick
Adding 'petit' (small) before 'renseignement' makes you sound more native and less intrusive. 'Un petit renseignement'.
No 'Pour'!
Never say 'demander pour'. It's the most common English-speaker mistake.
Eye Contact
In France, make brief eye contact when saying 'Bonjour' before asking your question.
Ponte a prueba
Complete the sentence with the correct verb form for politeness.
Bonjour, je ________ vous demander un renseignement.
The conditional 'voudrais' is the standard polite way to initiate a request in French.
Which preposition is correct?
Je demande un renseignement ____ l'agent de gare.
The verb 'demander' takes the preposition 'à' when referring to the person being asked.
Complete the dialogue.
Touriste: Bonjour Monsieur. Passant: Bonjour. Touriste: Je voudrais vous ________ un renseignement.
You 'demander' a 'renseignement'. You 'poser' a 'question'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Where would you say: 'Je voudrais des renseignements sur les horaires des trains'?
'Horaires des trains' means train schedules, so the station is the correct place.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Question vs Renseignement
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosBonjour, je ________ vous demander un renseignement.
The conditional 'voudrais' is the standard polite way to initiate a request in French.
Je demande un renseignement ____ l'agent de gare.
The verb 'demander' takes the preposition 'à' when referring to the person being asked.
Touriste: Bonjour Monsieur. Passant: Bonjour. Touriste: Je voudrais vous ________ un renseignement.
You 'demander' a 'renseignement'. You 'poser' a 'question'.
Where would you say: 'Je voudrais des renseignements sur les horaires des trains'?
'Horaires des trains' means train schedules, so the station is the correct place.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasYes, but 'un renseignement' sounds slightly more professional and precise in France.
It is masculine: UN renseignement.
Use 'vous': 'Je voudrais vous demander un renseignement.'
It's a bit formal for friends. With them, just say 'J'ai une question' or 'Tu sais si...'.
Des renseignements. 'Je voudrais des renseignements sur...'
No, use 'demander un service' for a favor.
Because usually, when you ask for info, you get multiple details, so the plural is very common.
Absolutely. It's the standard term for business inquiries.
'Renseigner' is often about specific facts/directions; 'informer' is more about general news or updates.
Yes, that's perfectly natural too!
Frases relacionadas
Se renseigner
similarTo get information for oneself.
Poser une question
similarTo ask a question.
Donner un renseignement
contrastTo provide information.
Prendre des renseignements
builds onTo gather information/do research.
