How to Say ‘What’ in French
Qu'est-ce que
kew ay s kuh
[kew ay s kuh]
💬 Usage Tip: [Qu'est-ce que] is a fixed way to ask "what" before a full clause: [Qu'est-ce que tu fais ?], [Qu'est-ce que tu veux ?]. The [qu'] part can't stand alone; it has to join the next sound.
Phrase Breakdown
Qu'
[kew]
What
Used to ask for information about something.
Qu'est-ce que tu fais ce soir ?
What are you doing this evening?
est-ce
ay s
[eh]
is it
Part of a phrase used in questions.
Est-ce possible ?
Is it possible?
Words in this phrase
est
[ay]
is
Used to describe or identify.
Qu'est-ce que c'est ?
What is it?
-ce
[s]
it
Refers to a thing previously mentioned or easily identified.
Qu'est-ce que c'est que ça ?
What is that?
que
[kuh]
that
Used to specify a person or thing being referred to.
Qu'est-ce que tu veux dire ?
What do you mean?
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