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est-ce-que

(question marker)

particle es-kuh Rare
Grammar & Structure Particles

Usage Note

Est-ce que is the standard spoken and written device for turning a statement into a yes/no question without inverting subject and verb. It is placed at the start of the clause: Est-ce que tu viens? ('Are you coming?'). It is stylistically neutral — neither formal nor informal — making it the default question form in most registers.

Examples

"Est-ce que tu viens ce soir?"

Natural Translation

Are you coming tonight?

Literal Translation

Is-it-that you come this evening?

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