Since to play an instrument in French is "Jouer de", I wonder where the de goes when it's interrogative. I think "Which instrument do you play" in French would be "Quel instrument jouez-vous" but there's no de. So, do you say "Quel instrument dont jouez vous" or "Dont instrument jouez vous". I just don't know where the de goes.
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Because I'm pretty sure to say "This is the instrument which I play" in french is "C'est l'instrument dont je joue". But is it possible to say "ceci est"?– chaplinmyflabbydogApr 6, 2016 at 10:34
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"Ceci est" implies you're showing it, with your finger for instance. The question suits more in a casual conversation, where you don't have your instrument with you.– WebsterApr 6, 2016 at 14:39
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Given that this is FL&U, you probably don't need to specify in French in question titles, Chaplin. We figure you probably aren't here for advice on Mandarin.– temporary_user_nameApr 6, 2016 at 21:24
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4 Answers
The grammatically correct formal sentence would be:
- De quel instrument jouez-vous ?
A still grammatical spoken French:
- De quel instrument est-ce que vous jouez ?
In non formal, real life, you'll more often hear the casual :
- Vous jouez de quel instrument ?
or even:
- Tu joues (de) quoi comme instrument ?
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De quel instrument est-ce que vous jouez ? is another grammatically correct sentence.– biozicApr 6, 2016 at 21:19
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You can say "De quel instrument jouez vous ?" or "Quel instrument jouez vous ?" in a more familiar way.
"De" goes at begining.
De quel instrument jouez-vous ?
Je joue de la flûte.
EDIT :
You can use the verb "pratiquer" without "de"
Quel instrument pratiquez-vous ?
Je pratique l'accordéon.
Indirect object complement goes first in this case (de quel, duquel, auquel and such)
De quel instrument jouez-vous/joues-tu ?
