Basic Sentence Structure
Simple Sentences
French word order is usually Subject-Verb-Object, like English: - Aisha lit un livre (Aisha reads a book) - Les enfants jouent dehors (The children play outside)
Negative Sentences
Wrap ne...pas around the verb: - Je ne parle pas japonais (I don't speak Japanese) - Ils ne sont pas fatigués (They are not tired)
In spoken French, the "ne" is often dropped: - Je parle pas japonais (informal)
Questions: Three Ways
1. Intonation (raise your voice): Tu parles français? 2. Est-ce que: Est-ce que tu parles français? 3. Inversion: Parles-tu français?
All mean "Do you speak French?" Use whichever feels comfortable!