Demander vs. poser: understanding the difference between these French verbs meaning "to ask," including usage, examples, and common expressions.
French has two common verbs for "to ask": demander and poser. Both can involve questions, but they have different focuses and grammar rules. Demander means "to ask for something" or "ask someone," while poser means "to pose" or "put" a question. Understanding when to use each verb is key to natural French.
- demander = ask (for something, a favor, or information) / ask someone
- poser = pose or put (a question)
- demander uses an object or indirect object (person or thing requested)
- poser is usually followed by une question or a relative clause
Usage
. Demander: asking for something or asking someone
Demander can take a direct object (a thing) or an indirect object (a person asked). It means "ask for" or "request."
- Demander quelque chose (ask for something)
- Demander à quelqu’un (ask someone)
Examples:
- Je demande un stylo. (I ask for a pen.)
- Je demande à Marie. (I ask Marie.)
- Il m’a demandé de l’aide. (He asked me for help.)
What is the correct object construction when using 'demander' to ask for something?
Demander + direct object (thing)
When 'demander' is used to ask for something, it takes a direct object. When asking someone, it uses 'à + person'.
. Poser: putting or posing a question
Poser is used when talking about "posing" or "putting" a question. It’s usually followed by une question, la question, or a clause introduced by que or si.
- Poser une question (ask/pose a question)
- Poser la question de… (raise the question of…)
- Poser des questions (ask questions)
Examples:
- Je pose une question. (I ask a question.)
- Elle pose la question du budget. (She raises the question of the budget.)
- Ils posent toujours beaucoup de questions. (They always ask a lot of questions.)
. Special cases with posers
Poser can also mean to "put down" or "place" something, but when it comes to asking, it only refers to questions or related contexts.
Example:
- Poser un problème (raise a problem) — figurative use related to questions/issues.
Grammar
. Demander
- Can be transitive or indirect:
- Demander + direct object (thing)
- Demander + à + person
- Can also be followed by an infinitive (ask someone to do something)
Examples:
- Je demande un renseignement. (I ask for information.)
- Je demande à Paul. (I ask Paul.)
- Il demande à sortir. (He asks to go out.)
. Poser
- Used with a direct object referring to questions/problems:
- Poser + question/problème
- Can be followed by a relative clause or que/si clause:
- Poser la question [que.../si...]
Examples:
- Je pose une question. (I ask a question.)
- Elle pose la question pourquoi il est parti. (She asks the question why he left.)
- Ils posent si le train est à l’heure. (They ask if the train is on time.)
. Asking "Who?" "What?" "Where?" etc.
- Demander can introduce question words when requesting information:
- demander où, quand, pourquoi, comment...
- Poser is rarely used this way in normal speech; it’s more about the act of "posing" the question, not framing it.
Example:
- Je demande où il est. (I ask where he is.)
- Je pose rarement où il est — on dit plutôt je demande*.
Summary
Demander
- Means "to ask for" something or "ask someone"
- Uses direct object (thing) or à + person
- Can be followed by an infinitive (demander à faire)
- Used for requests, favors, information
Poser
- Means "to pose" or "put" a question
- Used with question, problème, or clause (que/si)
- Focuses on the act of "raising" or "putting" the question
- Not used for general requests, only with questions
Mastering the difference:
- Use demander if you’re asking someone or requesting something.
- Use poser if you’re talking about asking/putting a question itself.
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
