The phrase “tu viens d’où” is French and translates literally to “you come from where?” in English. It is a casual or informal way of asking someone, “Where are you from?”
Breakdown of the Phrase:
- Tu: The informal “you,” used with friends, family, or peers.
- Viens: The second-person singular form of the verb venir, meaning “to come.”
- D’: A contraction of de, meaning “of” or “from.”
- Où: The word for “where.”
Together, “tu viens d’où” is a conversational and slightly colloquial question. The inversion of “d’où tu viens” (which follows a more formal structure) gives it a relaxed, spoken tone, often used in everyday conversations.
Context and Usage:
This phrase is typically used in friendly or informal settings to ask someone about their place of origin, such as their hometown, country, or background. For example:
- A: Tu viens d’où ?
- B: Je viens de Paris. (I’m from Paris.)
In formal contexts, the question would be phrased as “D’où venez-vous ?”, which uses the polite “vous” instead of “tu.” However, “tu viens d’où” remains a common and approachable way to ask about someone’s origins in informal French conversation.