4

In English there are two nouns, question and query, which appear to be very similar in meaning but that, if looked at cautiously reveal themselves a bit different from each other. In the context of a course or in a meeting saying "Any Questions?" and "Any Queries?" amount to the same thing. But, in a multiple choice test we employ "questions", not "queries". On the other hand in a database we see the term "queries", not "questions". Roughly, "query" is used in the context of a need of clarifying a doubt, expressing a doubt or getting information about something. "Question" is used to get an answer or a discussion over the question.

In French both of these words are always conveyed by (la) question? Is there any other word that conveys this nuance?

Improve this question
0

4 Answers 4

Reset to default
3

Often heard after exposing some matters in front of a class:

Questions ? Commentaires ? Discussions ?

It is an invitation to ask questions, requests details, expose your comprehension when you doubt you understood everything, etc.

It would be used in pretty much the same context as your “Any questions? Any queries?”.

I am not overly familiar with databases, especially in French, but I believe the English query is usually translated as requête...

Improve this answer
0
3

Just for adding informations about the database part. In France, we are used to say :

Le programme interroge/questionne la base de données.

Or

Le programme lance/envoie/fait/crée une requête à la base de données.

Even if the verb "to request" exists in French, it is never used in this context.

Both above solutions are commonly used. The first one will be used when you want to say that your program query the database (global behavior of your program). The second one is more focused on the query itself.

Improve this answer
3
  • 1
    I never heard (il) questionne la base de données but ont the other hand I definitely heard and used (il) requête une base de donnée.
    – jlliagre
    Commented Dec 9, 2018 at 20:30
  • I think, it depends on the teacher you had.
    – Victor
    Commented Dec 9, 2018 at 20:33
  • I was basing this comment on my professional experience but I have indeed found "questionner la base données" occurrences on the web. Some of them are from French Canadian so it might be more popular there. By the way, you ignored my comment about litotes on your il s'est pas foutu de toi reply.
    – jlliagre
    Commented Dec 9, 2018 at 22:11
2

There are the words question, requête and demande in French.

Question is when you ask for information, about something you don't know.

Requête is used in administrative or legal context, when you ask for something to be done (instead of asking for information). It can also be a formal way to ask something to do from somone.
It is also used for databases as the translation of query.

Demande is more or less the same as requête but is less formal, it is also less authoritarian because requête can be used for conflicts (and yet be less authoritarian than a demand) while demande[Fr] would be used for negociation or a genuine request.

Improve this answer
1

According to your description ("query" is used in the context of a need of clarifying a doubt, expressing a doubt or getting information about something), a query might be une interrogation (doubt) or une demande (getting information about something) while "question" would keep the same meaning in both languages.

You might then ask after a meeting:

Des questions ? des interrogations ?

Improve this answer

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.