English Translation
Is it free? (of charge)
Same as with some of the other translations, this is a formal way of saying this.
Gemini says:
Yes, “Est-ce gratuit ?” is grammatically correct, but it is quite formal.
You are using inversion (flipping the verb and subject), which is the most “proper” way to ask a question in French. Using the inverted form can sound a bit stiff or like a textbook.
Here is how it compares to the options you will actually hear:
1. “Est-ce gratuit ?” (Formal)
- Tone: Elegant, polite, slightly literary.
2. “C’est gratuit ?” (Everyday)
- Tone: Casual, standard.
- Usage: This is what 95% of French people say. You just make a statement (“C’est gratuit”) and raise your voice at the end to make it a question.
3. “Est-ce que c’est gratuit ?” (Standard)
- Tone: Neutral.
- Usage: This is the “safe” middle ground. It is longer, but it is very clear and polite without sounding stiff.