quand ou quant?

Michael H.A0Kwiziq community member

quand ou quant?

I have a question which comes from this exercise but is not directly related to the subject matter perhaps but is a listening issue that I have come across before and there must be a rule that I don't know about or that I do and just don't recognise the context: 

In reflexive verb video, which is in the last set of "your practice" offered after you complete the last written section; at 7'40" in the video, the lady says: "Et puis, qu'est qu' on fait quant on utilise l'imperatif..." but instead of saying "quand" she pronounces the "t" as if it were "quante" ...So I wonder if you could tell me what the rule is for pronouncing "quand" with a "t" at the end, since quant, is of course a different word...

I hope that makes sense. I look forward to hearing from you. 

Best regards,

Michael



Asked 3 years ago
CélineNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Bonjour Michael,

James is absolutely right. “Once upon a time” (aka in “Old French”), ‘quand’ used to be written with a ‘t’ and not not a ‘d’. Hence the liaison with a word starting with a vowel.

Quand(t) il part en vacances… = when he goes on holidays…

Quand(t) on vient te voir… = when we come to see you…

 

Attention ! Quand + name starting with a vowel

Quand Antoine / Alice / Eveline … → no liaison

 

‘Quant’ does exist (as mentioned by Chris). It is always followed by the preposition ‘à’. ‘Quand à’ = ‘as for’. And the liaison does happen:

Quant à toi … as for you…

Quant aux enfants… as for the children…

Quant à repeindre la maison… as for repainting the house…

 

I hoep this is helpful.

Bonne journée !

James W.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Pronounce the "t" when following word begins with a vowel e.g. 'Quand(t) il va faire les courses' 

Hope that helps !

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Just for kicks, there's also the word quant which means regarding, as for, about....

quand ou quant?

I have a question which comes from this exercise but is not directly related to the subject matter perhaps but is a listening issue that I have come across before and there must be a rule that I don't know about or that I do and just don't recognise the context: 

In reflexive verb video, which is in the last set of "your practice" offered after you complete the last written section; at 7'40" in the video, the lady says: "Et puis, qu'est qu' on fait quant on utilise l'imperatif..." but instead of saying "quand" she pronounces the "t" as if it were "quante" ...So I wonder if you could tell me what the rule is for pronouncing "quand" with a "t" at the end, since quant, is of course a different word...

I hope that makes sense. I look forward to hearing from you. 

Best regards,

Michael



Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Let me take a look at that...