comment/kɔ.mɑ̃/
adverb / interjection / noun · A1 · Frequency 162
adverb
Meanings
how
Used to ask about manner, method, or state.
Examples
Comment as-tu appris cette nouvelle ?
How did you learn this news?
Je ne sais pas comment réparer cette machine.
I do not know how to repair this machine.
Comment peut-on réserver une table dans ce restaurant ?
How can one reserve a table at this restaurant?
Collocations
- comment ça se faithow come
Common mistakes
Comment de personnes sont venues ?
Combien de personnes sont venues ?
comment usually means “how”; when asking about a number or quantity, use combien rather than comment de personnes.
Related words
synonymde quelle manièrein what way
- antonymcombienhow many/how much
interjection
Meanings
pardon?, sorry?, what?
Used to indicate not hearing clearly or to ask for repetition.
An expression of surprise or anger.
Informal use to express surprise, anger, or dissatisfaction.
Examples
Comment, tu as deja termine ton travail ?
What, you have already finished your work?
Comment ? Je n'ai pas entendu votre question.
Pardon? I did not hear your question.
Comment ! Vous avez encore annule la reunion ?
What! You cancelled the meeting again?
Collocations
- comment çahow so?
- comment donchow come
- comment ça se faithow come that is
Common mistakes
Comment?
Comment ?
A space should be added before the question mark after the interrogative word.
Comment!
Comment !
A space should be added before the exclamation mark after the interjection.
Related words
- synonymquoiwhat
antonymd'accordagree
nounmasculine
Meanings
The means by which something is accomplished; the how.
Commonly used as a noun to denote the method or way of doing something.
How; in what way (interrogative adverb).
Used as an interrogative adverb to ask about the manner or way, common in both spoken and written language.
Examples
Le comment compte parfois autant que le résultat.
The how sometimes matters as much as the result.
Dans son exposé, elle explique le comment de cette transformation.
In her presentation, she explains how this transformation was accomplished.
Le groupe a longuement débattu du comment de la mise en œuvre du projet.
The group debated at length how the project should be implemented.
Collocations
- le comment et le pourquoi d’une décisionthe how and why of a decision
Common mistakes
Le comment est important.
Le « comment » est important.
As a noun, ‘comment’ should be in quotation marks to distinguish it.
Comment tu fais ça ?
Comment fais-tu ça ?
In interrogative sentences, inversion form should be used.
Related words
synonymmanièremanner, way
synonymfaçonway, manner
- antonympourquoiwhy