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The English word "how" translates to "comment" in French. This essential interrogative adverb is used to ask about manner, method, or condition. In French, "comment" serves similar functions to its English counterpart but follows different grammatical patterns and usage conventions.
Definition: "Comment" is an interrogative adverb in French that asks about the manner or way in which something is done, the state or condition of something, or requests clarification about a process or method.
FAQ Schema: Q: What does "comment" mean in French? A: "Comment" means "how" in French. It is used to ask questions about manner, method, state, or condition. For example, "Comment allez-vous?" means "How are you?"
Usage in This Lesson: The examples in this lesson will demonstrate various uses of "comment" in different positions within sentences, showing its flexibility in formal and informal contexts, its use in direct and indirect questions, and its role in common French expressions.
Educational Schema: -
Subject: French Language Learning -
Level: Beginner to Intermediate -
Focus: Interrogative Adverb "comment" -
Language Pair: French-English -
Lesson Type: Grammar and Vocabulary -
Learning Method: Interlinear Translation
Key Takeaways: -
"Comment" is the French equivalent of "how" -
It remains unchanged regardless of the subject -
Can begin a question or appear in indirect questions -
Forms part of many common French expressions -
Pronunciation: [kɔmɑ̃]
69.1 Comment How allez go -vous you aujourd'hui today ?
69.2 Je I ne not sais know pas not comment how faire to-do cela that
69.3 Dites Tell -moi me comment how vous you avez have réussi succeeded
69.4 Comment How s' itself appelle calls cette this rue street ?
69.5 Elle She demande asks comment how préparer to-prepare le the plat dish
69.6 Comment How dit says -on one "merci" "thank-you" en in japonais Japanese ?
69.7 Voici Here-is comment how il he faut must procéder proceed
69.8 Comment How ? Vous You partez leave déjà already ?
69.9 Savez Know -vous you comment how fonctionne works cette this machine machine ?
69.10 Comment How se itself fait makes -il it que that tu you sois are en in retard delay ?
69.11 Il He explique explains comment how résoudre to-solve le the problème problem
69.12 Comment How avez have -vous you trouvé found le the film movie ?
69.13 Regardez Look comment how elle she danse dances !
69.14 Je I me myself demande ask comment how ils they ont have fait done
69.15 Comment How oses dare -tu you dire say une a telle such chose thing ?
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69.1 Comment allez-vous aujourd'hui ? How are you today?
69.2 Je ne sais pas comment faire cela. I don't know how to do that.
69.3 Dites-moi comment vous avez réussi. Tell me how you succeeded.
69.4 Comment s'appelle cette rue ? What is this street called?
69.5 Elle demande comment préparer le plat. She asks how to prepare the dish.
69.6 Comment dit-on "merci" en japonais ? How do you say "thank you" in Japanese?
69.7 Voici comment il faut procéder. Here's how you must proceed.
69.8 Comment ? Vous partez déjà ? What? You're leaving already?
69.9 Savez-vous comment fonctionne cette machine ? Do you know how this machine works?
69.10 Comment se fait-il que tu sois en retard ? How come you're late?
69.11 Il explique comment résoudre le problème. He explains how to solve the problem.
69.12 Comment avez-vous trouvé le film ? How did you find the movie?
69.13 Regardez comment elle danse ! Look how she dances!
69.14 Je me demande comment ils ont fait. I wonder how they did it.
69.15 Comment oses-tu dire une telle chose ? How dare you say such a thing?
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69.1 Comment allez-vous aujourd'hui ?
69.2 Je ne sais pas comment faire cela.
69.3 Dites-moi comment vous avez réussi.
69.4 Comment s'appelle cette rue ?
69.5 Elle demande comment préparer le plat.
69.6 Comment dit-on "merci" en japonais ?
69.7 Voici comment il faut procéder.
69.8 Comment ? Vous partez déjà ?
69.9 Savez-vous comment fonctionne cette machine ?
69.10 Comment se fait-il que tu sois en retard ?
69.11 Il explique comment résoudre le problème.
69.12 Comment avez-vous trouvé le film ?
69.13 Regardez comment elle danse !
69.14 Je me demande comment ils ont fait.
69.15 Comment oses-tu dire une telle chose ?
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Grammar Rules for "Comment":
"Comment" is an invariable interrogative adverb, meaning it never changes form regardless of gender, number, or tense. It corresponds to the English "how" in most contexts.
Primary Uses: -
Direct Questions: Comment begins the sentence in formal questions -
Comment allez-vous? (How are you?) -
Comment faire? (How to do it?) -
Indirect Questions: Comment appears within the sentence -
Je ne sais pas comment partir. (I don't know how to leave.) -
Il demande comment venir. (He asks how to come.) -
Exclamations: Expressing surprise or emphasis -
Comment! Tu ne savais pas? (What! You didn't know?) -
Regardez comment il court! (Look how he runs!) -
Common Expressions: -
Comment ça? (How so?) -
Comment donc! (Of course!) -
Comment faire? (What to do?) -
N'importe comment (Anyway/Anyhow)
Common Mistakes: -
Word Order Error: English speakers often place comment incorrectly -
Incorrect: Je comment faire ne sais pas -
Correct: Je ne sais pas comment faire -
Confusing "Comment" with "Comme": -
Comment = how (interrogative) -
Comme = as/like (comparison) -
Comment est-il? (How is he?) vs. Il est comme son père (He is like his father) -
Using "Comment" for "What": -
English "What is your name?" = French "Comment vous appelez-vous?" (literally "How do you call yourself?") -
Not "Qu'est-ce que votre nom?" -
Forgetting Inversion in Formal Questions: -
Informal: Comment tu vas? -
Formal: Comment allez-vous? -
Very formal: Comment vous portez-vous?
Step-by-Step Guide for Using "Comment": -
Identify if you're asking about manner, method, or state -
For direct questions: Place "comment" at the beginning -
For formal register: Use subject-verb inversion after "comment" -
For indirect questions: Place "comment" after the main verb -
Remember that "comment" never changes form
Comparison with English: -
English uses "how" + auxiliary verb: "How do you do it?" -
French uses "comment" + main verb: "Comment faites-vous?" -
English "what" in some contexts = French "comment": "What's your name?" = "Comment t'appelles-tu?"
Grammatical Summary: -
Part of speech: Interrogative adverb -
Form: Invariable (never changes) -
Position: Beginning of direct questions, after main verb in indirect questions -
Register variations: Yes (informal vs. formal question structures) -
Can introduce: Questions, exclamations, indirect questions
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Understanding "comment" in French culture goes beyond grammar. The French place great emphasis on the manner in which things are done, reflecting their cultural values of elegance, precision, and savoir-vivre.
Social Interactions: The question "Comment allez-vous?" is not merely a greeting but often expects a genuine response in French culture. Unlike the English "How are you?" which is often rhetorical, French speakers may provide a thoughtful answer about their well-being.
Formality Levels: -
"Comment allez-vous?" (formal) -
"Comment vas-tu?" (informal) -
"Comment ça va?" (casual) -
"Ça va?" (very casual)
The choice reflects the relationship between speakers and social context. Using the wrong level can be perceived as too distant or overly familiar.
Cultural Expressions: French has many expressions with "comment" that reflect cultural attitudes: -
"Comment dire..." (How to say...) - shows the French concern for precise expression -
"Je ne sais comment vous remercier" (I don't know how to thank you) - reflects elaborate politeness -
"Comment se fait-il que..." (How come...) - demonstrates the French love of logical explanation
Professional Context: In business settings, "Comment procéder?" (How to proceed?) reflects the French preference for clear methodology and structured approaches. The French often want to understand the "comment" (method) before the "quoi" (what).
Educational tradition: French education emphasizes understanding "comment" - the methodology and reasoning behind answers, not just the answers themselves. This is reflected in the common classroom question "Comment es-tu arrivé à cette réponse?" (How did you arrive at this answer?)
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From "Le Petit Prince" by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry:
"Comment peut-on posséder les étoiles? - À qui sont-elles? riposta, grincheux, le businessman. - Je ne sais pas. À personne. - Alors elles sont à moi, car j'y ai pensé le premier."
("How can one own the stars? - To whom do they belong? retorted the businessman grumpily. - I don't know. To nobody. - Then they are mine, because I thought of it first.")
Comment How peut can -on one posséder possess les the étoiles stars ? - À To qui whom sont are -elles they ? riposta retorted, grincheux grumpy, le the businessman businessman. - Je I ne not sais know pas not. À To personne nobody. - Alors Then elles they sont are à to moi me, car because j' I y there ai have pensé thought le the premier first.
"Comment peut-on posséder les étoiles? - À qui sont-elles? riposta, grincheux, le businessman. - Je ne sais pas. À personne. - Alors elles sont à moi, car j'y ai pensé le premier."
"How can one own the stars? - To whom do they belong? retorted the businessman grumpily. - I don't know. To nobody. - Then they are mine, because I thought of it first."
"Comment peut-on posséder les étoiles? - À qui sont-elles? riposta, grincheux, le businessman. - Je ne sais pas. À personne. - Alors elles sont à moi, car j'y ai pensé le premier."
This passage from "Le Petit Prince" uses "comment" to question the absurdity of adult logic regarding ownership. Saint-Exupéry employs "comment" philosophically here, not seeking a practical method but challenging the very concept of possessing stars.
Grammatical Notes: -
"Comment peut-on" uses the impersonal "on" (one) for general statements -
The inversion "peut-on" creates the formal interrogative structure -
"Posséder" (to possess) is in the infinitive after the modal verb "peut"
Cultural Significance: The use of "comment" here reflects French philosophical tradition - questioning not just methods but fundamental assumptions. The businessman's logic represents materialism that the Little Prince finds incomprehensible.
Literary Device: Saint-Exupéry uses "comment" to introduce a Socratic dialogue, where questioning reveals the absurdity of the businessman's position. This reflects the French educational tradition of learning through questioning.
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69.16 Comment How avons have -nous we découvert discovered ce this petit small café café parisien Parisian ?
69.17 Le The guide guide nous us montre shows comment how naviguer to-navigate dans in le the métro metro
69.18 Comment How décrire to-describe la the beauté beauty de of la the Loire Loire au at-the coucher setting du of-the soleil sun ?
69.19 Nous We apprenons learn comment how les the Français French prennent take leur their petit small déjeuner lunch traditionnel traditional
69.20 Comment How expliquer to-explain l' the émotion emotion ressentie felt devant before le the Mont Mount -Saint Saint -Michel Michel ?
69.21 Notre Our hôtesse hostess explique explains comment how préparer to-prepare la the vraie real ratatouille ratatouille provençale Provençal
69.22 Comment How ne not pas not tomber fall amoureux in-love de of ces these ruelles alleyways médiévales medieval ?
69.23 Le The vigneron winemaker nous us enseigne teaches comment how déguster to-taste le the vin wine correctement correctly
69.24 Comment How avez have -vous you trouvé found ce this marché market aux at-the puces fleas extraordinaire extraordinary ?
69.25 Regardez Look comment how les the artistes artists capturent capture la the lumière light sur on leurs their toiles canvases à at Montmartre Montmartre
69.26 Comment How oublier to-forget le the goût taste du of-the premier first croissant croissant chaud hot à in Paris Paris ?
69.27 Elle She nous us montre shows comment how les the lavandes lavenders sont are récoltées harvested en in Provence Provence
69.28 Comment How les the habitants inhabitants conservent preserve -ils they leurs their traditions traditions ancestrales ancestral ?
69.29 Découvrez Discover comment how voyager to-travel en in France France sans without parler speaking français French couramment fluently
69.30 Comment How résister to-resist à to l' the appel call des of-the Alpes Alps enneigées snow-covered en in hiver winter ?
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69.16 Comment avons-nous découvert ce petit café parisien ? How did we discover this little Parisian café?
69.17 Le guide nous montre comment naviguer dans le métro. The guide shows us how to navigate in the metro.
69.18 Comment décrire la beauté de la Loire au coucher du soleil ? How to describe the beauty of the Loire at sunset?
69.19 Nous apprenons comment les Français prennent leur petit déjeuner traditionnel. We learn how the French have their traditional breakfast.
69.20 Comment expliquer l'émotion ressentie devant le Mont-Saint-Michel ? How to explain the emotion felt before Mont-Saint-Michel?
69.21 Notre hôtesse explique comment préparer la vraie ratatouille provençale. Our hostess explains how to prepare real Provençal ratatouille.
69.22 Comment ne pas tomber amoureux de ces ruelles médiévales ? How not to fall in love with these medieval alleyways?
69.23 Le vigneron nous enseigne comment déguster le vin correctement. The winemaker teaches us how to taste wine correctly.
69.24 Comment avez-vous trouvé ce marché aux puces extraordinaire ? How did you find this extraordinary flea market?
69.25 Regardez comment les artistes capturent la lumière sur leurs toiles à Montmartre. Look how the artists capture the light on their canvases in Montmartre.
69.26 Comment oublier le goût du premier croissant chaud à Paris ? How to forget the taste of the first hot croissant in Paris?
69.27 Elle nous montre comment les lavandes sont récoltées en Provence. She shows us how lavender is harvested in Provence.
69.28 Comment les habitants conservent-ils leurs traditions ancestrales ? How do the inhabitants preserve their ancestral traditions?
69.29 Découvrez comment voyager en France sans parler français couramment. Discover how to travel in France without speaking French fluently.
69.30 Comment résister à l'appel des Alpes enneigées en hiver ? How to resist the call of the snow-covered Alps in winter?
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69.16 Comment avons-nous découvert ce petit café parisien ?
69.17 Le guide nous montre comment naviguer dans le métro.
69.18 Comment décrire la beauté de la Loire au coucher du soleil ?
69.19 Nous apprenons comment les Français prennent leur petit déjeuner traditionnel.
69.20 Comment expliquer l'émotion ressentie devant le Mont-Saint-Michel ?
69.21 Notre hôtesse explique comment préparer la vraie ratatouille provençale.
69.22 Comment ne pas tomber amoureux de ces ruelles médiévales ?
69.23 Le vigneron nous enseigne comment déguster le vin correctement.
69.24 Comment avez-vous trouvé ce marché aux puces extraordinaire ?
69.25 Regardez comment les artistes capturent la lumière sur leurs toiles à Montmartre.
69.26 Comment oublier le goût du premier croissant chaud à Paris ?
69.27 Elle nous montre comment les lavandes sont récoltées en Provence.
69.28 Comment les habitants conservent-ils leurs traditions ancestrales ?
69.29 Découvrez comment voyager en France sans parler français couramment.
69.30 Comment résister à l'appel des Alpes enneigées en hiver ?
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Special Uses of "Comment" in Travel Contexts: -
Rhetorical Questions: Travel narratives often use "comment" in rhetorical questions to express wonder or impossibility: -
Comment décrire...? (How to describe...?) -
Comment oublier...? (How to forget...?) -
Comment ne pas...? (How not to...?) -
Practical Instructions: Travel guides use "comment" for how-to information: -
Comment naviguer (how to navigate) -
Comment voyager (how to travel) -
Comment déguster (how to taste) -
Discovery and Experience: -
Comment avons-nous découvert...? (How did we discover...?) -
Comment avez-vous trouvé...? (How did you find...?)
Common Travel Expressions with "Comment": -
Comment y aller? (How to get there?) -
Comment se déplacer? (How to get around?) -
Comment commander? (How to order?) -
Comment payer? (How to pay?)
Register in Travel Writing: Travel narratives mix formal and informal registers: -
Formal: Comment peut-on visiter...? (How can one visit...?) -
Informal: Comment on fait pour...? (How do we go about...?)
Cultural Notes for Travelers: When asking "comment" questions in France: -
Be specific about what you need to know -
French people appreciate when you try to speak French -
"Comment dit-on...?" (How do you say...?) shows effort to learn
Idiomatic Travel Uses: -
Comment faire? (What to do?) -
Comment ça marche? (How does it work?) -
Comment c'était? (How was it?)
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These lessons are part of the Latinum Institute's comprehensive language learning program, designed specifically for autodidacts seeking to master languages through interlinear translation methods. The course draws on pedagogical techniques refined since 2006 by curator Evan der Millner BA MA (Cantab. NZ, London).
The Method: The Latinum approach, detailed at latinum.substack.com and latinum.org.uk, employs construed texts that break down target language sentences into their smallest meaningful units. This granular approach allows learners to build vocabulary and understand grammatical structures simultaneously, making complex languages accessible to independent learners.
Course Features: -
Interlinear translations showing exact word correspondences -
Progressive difficulty within each lesson -
Cultural context integrated with language learning -
Authentic literary excerpts with detailed analysis -
Genre-based sections for practical application
Why This Method Works: -
Visual learners see direct connections between languages -
Grammar is absorbed naturally through repeated patterns -
Cultural understanding develops alongside linguistic competence -
Literary excerpts provide authentic language exposure -
No prior grammatical knowledge required
Additional Resources: -
Audio materials available at patreon.com/latinum for paid subscribers -
Student testimonials at https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/latinum.org.uk -
Extended reading materials at latinum.org.uk
About Evan der Millner: Since 2006, Evan der Millner has pioneered online language learning materials that make classical and modern languages accessible to independent learners worldwide. His work combines traditional philological methods with modern pedagogical insights, creating resources that have helped thousands master languages previously thought "too difficult" for self-study.
The Latinum Institute continues to expand its offerings, with courses in Latin, Ancient Greek, Hebrew, and modern languages, all following the same proven methodology that emphasizes comprehension through careful, word-by-word analysis.
For more information and additional lessons, visit latinum.substack.com.
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