How do you say "Don't you?" in French?

"Don't you?" in French is "N'est-ce pas ?". This phrase is commonly used in France.

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How to Say ‘Don't you?’ in French

Q: What does "N'est-ce pas ?" mean in English?

"N'est-ce pas ?" means "Don't you?" in English. Usage tip: [N'est-ce pas ?] is tagged onto the end to invite agreement, like "isn't it?" or "don't you?" In everyday spoken French it can sound more formal or deliberate than a simple [non ?].

N'est-ce pas ?

n ehST ssuh pah

[n ehST ssuh pah]

💬 Usage Tip: [N'est-ce pas ?] is tagged onto the end to invite agreement, like "isn't it?" or "don't you?" In everyday spoken French it can sound more formal or deliberate than a simple [non ?].

🇫🇷 In France: In casual flirting at a bar, [n'est-ce pas ?] may sound a little theatrical or old-fashioned unless you're using it playfully. A local is more likely to say [non ?] in relaxed conversation.

Phrase Breakdown

[n]

Isn't

A contraction of 'is not'.

Example

C'est une belle soirée, n'est-ce pas ?

It's a lovely evening, isn't it?

est-ce

ehST ssuh

[eh]

is it

'Est-ce' is used in forming questions, meaning 'is it' or 'isn't it'.

Example

Est-ce correct ?

Is it correct?

Words in this phrase

est

[ehST]

Refers to subject of the sentence or phrase.

Example

Le soleil est chaud, n'est-ce pas ?

The sun is warm, isn't it?

-ce

[ssuh]

this

Refers to a particular thing.

Example

Ce baffant oiseau, n'est-ce pas ?

This fascinating bird, isn't it?

pas

[pah]

not

Negates the verb that follows.

Example

Cette chanson est géniale, n'est-ce pas ?

This song is great, isn't it?

Guides for French learners

“Do You Speak English?” in French, and What to Say When You Don't Speak FrenchHow to say “do you speak English?” in French politely, what you'll hear back, and the phrases for “I don't speak French” and “can you repeat that?”, with audio.The Best App to Learn French: An Honest ComparisonDuolingo, Babbel, Pimsleur, Busuu, italki and PrettyFluent compared for learning French: what each is best at, how you pay, and which fits your goal.

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