French - Lesson 96 of 159: Checking Understanding

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

Tu comprends ?

Do you understand?

Meaning: Do you understand?

When to use: Use this direct question when you want to know if the listener has understood a point you just made.

Tip: Using a very direct tone can sound blunt; soften with tone or add a friendly word if needed.

Tu comprends ce que je dis ?

Do you understand what I'm saying?

Tu comprends ? On commence à six heures.

Do you understand? We start at six.

C'est clair ?

Is that clear?

Meaning: Is that clear?

When to use: Ask this after giving instructions or an explanation to check clarity.

Je dois faire X, Y, Z. C'est clair ?

I must do X, Y, Z. Is that clear?

C'est clair ? On annule si personne peut venir.

Is that clear? We'll cancel if no one can come.

Tu me suis ?

Are you with me?

Meaning: Are you with me?

When to use: Use this when you want to know if the listener is following your sequence of ideas.

Tip: Confusing 'suivre' with 'comprendre'—use 'tu me suis ?' specifically for following a sequence.

J'additionne d'abord A, puis B. Tu me suis ?

First I add A, then B. Are you with me?

Je vais expliquer le plan étape par étape. Tu me suis ?

I'll explain the plan step by step. Are you with me?

Tu vois ce que je veux dire ?

Do you know what I mean?

Meaning: Do you know what I mean?

When to use: Use this to check if the listener understands the nuance or intended meaning of what you said.

C'est un peu délicat, tu vois ce que je veux dire ?

It's a bit delicate, do you know what I mean?

On ne doit pas être trop strict, tu vois ce que je veux dire ?

We shouldn't be too strict, do you know what I mean?

Des questions ?

Any questions?

Meaning: Any questions?

When to use: Use this open invitation when you finish an explanation and want people to ask questions.

J'ai fini la présentation. Des questions ?

I've finished the presentation. Any questions?

Des questions sur l'exercice ?

Any questions about the exercise?

Tu as compris ?

Did you get that?

Meaning: Did you get that?

When to use: Ask this to confirm the listener understood a specific piece of information you just gave.

Tip: For formal situations or groups, use 'Vous avez compris ?' instead of 'Tu'.

Tu as compris l'heure du rendez-vous ?

Did you get the time of the meeting?

Tu as compris l'exercice d'aujourd'hui ?

Did you get today's exercise?

Tu arrives à suivre ?

Can you follow me?

Meaning: Can you follow me?

When to use: Use this to check if someone can keep up with your explanation or instructions.

Je parle vite — tu arrives à suivre ?

I speak quickly — can you follow me?

Je change d'exemple maintenant, tu arrives à suivre ?

I'm changing example now, can you follow me?

C'est clair pour cette partie ?

Is this part clear?

Meaning: Is this part clear?

When to use: Use this to check understanding of one specific section of your explanation.

On a vu la première partie. C'est clair pour cette partie ?

We saw the first part. Is this part clear?

C'est clair pour cette partie ou je dois donner un exemple ?

Is this part clear or should I give an example?

Tu veux que je répète ?

Do you want me to repeat that?

Meaning: Do you want me to repeat that?

When to use: Offer to repeat information if you see the listener looks unsure or missed something.

Tu veux que je répète la dernière étape ?

Do you want me to repeat the last step?

Si c'était rapide, tu veux que je répète ?

If that was quick, do you want me to repeat?

J'explique clairement ?

Am I explaining it clearly?

Meaning: Am I explaining it clearly?

When to use: Use this when you want feedback about how clearly you're explaining something.

J'explique clairement ou je dois simplifier ?

Am I explaining it clearly or should I simplify?

Dites-moi si j'explique clairement, s'il vous plaît.

Tell me if I'm explaining it clearly, please.

Ça va pour l'instant ?

Is everything okay so far?

Meaning: Is everything okay so far?

When to use: Pause during a longer explanation to check whether the listener is comfortable continuing.

On a fait deux parties. Ça va pour l'instant ?

We've done two parts. Is everything okay so far?

Je ne vais pas trop vite ? Ça va pour l'instant ?

Am I not going too fast? Is everything okay so far?

Tu veux que je réexplique ?

Should I explain it again?

Meaning: Should I explain it again?

When to use: Offer to give the explanation a second time when the listener seems confused.

Si ce n'est pas clair, tu veux que je réexplique ?

If it's not clear, should I explain it again?

Tu veux que je réexplique la partie du début ?

Do you want me to explain the beginning part again?

Je peux l'expliquer autrement ?

Can I explain it another way?

Meaning: Can I explain it another way?

When to use: Offer a different explanation to help someone who doesn't understand the first explanation.

Je peux l'expliquer autrement si ça aide.

I can explain it another way if that helps.

Tu veux que j'essaie ? Je peux l'expliquer autrement.

Do you want me to try? I can explain it another way.

French - Checking Understanding

1. Reading + Listening Practice

2. Conversational Listening Practice

3. Guided Practice

Which French phrase asks 'Any questions?'

Which phrase means 'Do you want me to repeat that?'

Which phrase would you use to ask 'Are you with me?' during an explanation?

Pick the phrase meaning 'Is this part clear?'

I explained the schedule twice. Did you get that on the time?

I'm going to change examples now. Are you with me?

We've covered two parts. Is everything okay so far?

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice