How to ask Where are you from? in French

When starting to learn French, it’s natural to seek simple, approachable conversation topics to help break the ice with locals. Asking someone where they’re from — using the appropriate formal or informal construction, of course — is a great starting place. 

In this article, we’ll explain how to ask several variations of “Where are you from?” in French. You may be surprised by the variety of responses you get from natives and the variety of new French friends you make along the way.

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How to ask someone where they are from in French

How to ask ‘Where are you from?’ in an informal way

“Where are you from?” is typically a question you ask people you aren’t particularly familiar with. Still, you may find yourself in a situation where using informal language is more appropriate. For example, you may be introducing yourself to a fellow student for the first time, addressing someone you play sports with, meeting a friend of a friend, and so on. In such cases, you would say:

–  D’où viens-tu ?

How to ask ‘Where are you from?’ in an informal way

Other times, you may need to maintain formality. This is often the case in the professional world, when talking with an older person, or when dealing with a doctor or mechanic. In such cases, you would say:

–  D’où venez-vous ?

The distinction between informal and formal is important here, because the question can seem quite personal to a French person — especially if you don’t know them. Staying polite and not coming across as rude or aggressive can lead to more extended conversations. 

How to ask about a person’s nationality in French

How to ask about a person’s nationality in an informal way

Here are a few informal ways to address the question of nationality:

– Quelle est ta nationalité ? (What is your nationality?)
– De quelle nationalité es-tu ? (What is your nationality?)
– Êtes-vous Français ? (Are you French?)

How to ask about a person’s nationality in a formal way

If the occasion demands more formality, you can use one of the following phrases:

– Quelle est votre nationalité ? (What is your nationality?)
– De quelle nationalité êtes-vous ? (What is your nationality?)

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How to ask about a person’s region or city of origin in French

In the table below, you’ll find a variety of ways to ask about a person’s country, region or city of origin in French.

How to reply to the question ‘Where do you come from?’ in French

Sometimes, the tables will be turned and you’ll be asked this question yourself. Here’s how to say where you’re from in French.

– Quelle est votre (ta) nationalité ? (What is your nationality?)
– Je suis Français. (I am French.)

– Quel est votre (ton) pays d’origine ? (What is your country of origin?)

– Je suis originaire de France. (I am French.)
– Je suis d’origine française.
– Je viens de France.

– Quelle est votre région d’origine ? (What is your region of origin?)
– Je suis originaire de Bretagne. (I am from Brittany.) 

– Où êtes-vous né(e) ? (Where were you born?)
– Je suis né(e) à Paris. (I was born in Paris.)

– Où avez-vous grandi ? (Where did you grow up?)
– J’ai grandi à Marseille. (I grew up in Marseille.)

– Quelle est votre ville de naissance ? (What is your city of birth?)
– Je suis né(e) à Toulouse. (I was born in Toulouse.)

– Dans quelle partie du monde avez-vous grandi ? (Which part of the world did you grow up in?)

– J’ai grandi en Asie. (I grew up in Asia.) 

Learn to ask ‘Where are you from?’ in French

As you can see, there are multiple ways to ask where a person is from in French. Which one you choose will likely depend on the context. It’s an important question in any case, as it allows you to learn more about the person and their country, region, or city of birth. Of course, it’s also a great way to get acquainted with French geography and to practice your French!

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Emilie Bled

Emilie is a community manager and writer specializing in the tourism, sports, and industry sectors. She lives just an hour away from Paris, where she takes full advantage of the forests for mountain biking. Passionate about climbing and outdoor sports, she travels in a van with her family across Europe. India holds a special place in her heart, having lived and worked there. After numerous experiences in digital communication, she has founded her own business. Discover more about her journey and professional expertise by checking out her services or her Linkedin profile.

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