Don't you have a smoke? - Yes I do.

J. S.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Don't you have a smoke? - Yes I do.

I think this translation for  «Tu n'as pas une clope? Si.» is a bit confusing in the lesson.

In the English, the inversion reads as expecting that the person does have a smoke, thus the following "Yes, I do" isn't disagreement.

I think dropping the inversion and more closely following the original would better convey the French phrase, as in: "You haven't (got) a smoke? Yes, I do."

Asked 4 years ago
CécileNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hi Jessica,

Tu n'as pas une clope? --->  Si, j'en ai une = You don't have a smoke ? yes,  I do

Tu as une clope? ---> oui .... = Do you have a smoke?  yes, I do

It is just a rule that you will use 'si' instead of 'oui' after a negative question.

Bonne Continuation!

 

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Si in French means “yes” to a statement with which you're disagreeing.

Tu n’as pas une clope?  means "you are not going to have a smoke?" So, if you ARE going to have a smoke you are disagreeing with the statement. To express that, you use si.

Rachel C.A1Kwiziq community member

I think there are several English translations that need to be changed!

J. S. asked:

Don't you have a smoke? - Yes I do.

I think this translation for  «Tu n'as pas une clope? Si.» is a bit confusing in the lesson.

In the English, the inversion reads as expecting that the person does have a smoke, thus the following "Yes, I do" isn't disagreement.

I think dropping the inversion and more closely following the original would better convey the French phrase, as in: "You haven't (got) a smoke? Yes, I do."

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