How to say what in french
Learning a new language can be an exciting adventure, and French is no exception. As one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, French opens up a whole new world of possibilities and opportunities. Whether you are planning a trip to France or simply looking to expand your linguistic horizons, knowing how to say “what” in French is an essential skill to have.
In French, the word for “what” is “quoi” pronounced “kwa.” It’s a simple yet versatile word that can be used in a variety of contexts and expressions. Here are some common ways to use “quoi” in French:
- Quoi? – What? This is the basic form of “what” in French and can be used to ask a direct question or express surprise or disbelief. For example: “Quoi? Tu ne comprends pas?” which translates to “What? You don’t understand?”
- C’est quoi? – What is it? This phrase is commonly used to ask for clarification or information about something. For instance: “C’est quoi cette voiture?” meaning “What is this car?”
- Qu’est-ce que c’est? – What is it? This phrase is similar to “C’est quoi?” and can also be used to ask for information or clarification about something. For example: “Qu’est-ce que c’est que cette chanson?” which means “What is this song?”
- Pardon, quoi? – Sorry, what? This expression is commonly used when you didn’t hear or understand something and need it to be repeated. It’s a polite way of asking someone to clarify what they said.
Learning how to say “what” in French is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to expanding your language skills. As you dive deeper into the French language, you will discover a wealth of vocabulary, grammar rules, and cultural nuances that will enrich your understanding and appreciation of the language. So, why not seize the opportunity, embrace the challenge, and embark on the journey of learning French?
Translating “what” into French
In French, the word “what” can be translated into several different ways depending on the context. Here are the most common translations:
Quoi
“Quoi” is the most straightforward translation of “what” in French. It is used in questions and casual conversations. For example:
| English | French |
|---|---|
| What is your name? | Quoi est ton nom? |
| What are you doing? | Quoi fais-tu? |
Qu’est-ce que
“Qu’est-ce que” is another way to translate “what” in French. It is primarily used in formal contexts and in written French. For example:
| English | French |
|---|---|
| What time is it? | Qu’est-ce que c’est l’heure? |
| What is your opinion? | Qu’est-ce que c’est ton opinion? |
There are also other ways to translate “what” depending on the specific usage and context, but these two translations are the most common and versatile. It’s important to keep in mind that the translation may vary depending on the sentence structure and the style of the conversation.
Understanding the Concept of “What” in French
In French, the word “what” can be expressed in different ways depending on its function in a sentence. Understanding how to use the appropriate form of “what” is essential for effective communication in French. Here, we will explore the various ways in which “what” can be translated and used in different contexts.
Question Word “Qu’est-ce que”
One common way to express “what” when asking questions in French is by using the phrase “qu’est-ce que.” This phrase is used to introduce a direct question and is often followed by a subject and verb. For example:
- Qu’est-ce que tu manges? (What are you eating?)
- Qu’est-ce qu’il veut? (What does he want?)
Indirect Questions
In French, indirect questions are formed slightly differently compared to direct questions. Instead of using “qu’est-ce que,” we use the phrase “ce que” to introduce an indirect question. For example:
- Je ne sais pas ce que tu veux. (I don’t know what you want.)
- Elle m’a demandé ce que j’aime faire pendant mon temps libre. (She asked me what I like to do in my free time.)
“What” as a Relative Pronoun
In some cases, “what” is used as a relative pronoun in French to introduce a clause or a phrase. In these instances, “what” can be translated as “ce que” or “ce qui.” The choice depends on whether “what” is the object or the subject of the relative clause. Examples include:
- Je ne comprends pas ce qu’il dit. (I don’t understand what he’s saying.)
- C’est ce qui me rend heureux. (That’s what makes me happy.)
By mastering these various forms and usages of “what” in French, you will be better equipped to effectively communicate and understand the concepts of “what” in conversations or written texts.
Common translations for “what” in French
When translating the word “what” into French, there are several different options depending on the context. Here are some common translations:
Qu’est-ce que
One way to express “what” in French is by using the phrase “qu’est-ce que”. This phrase is typically used at the beginning of a question and can be translated as “what” or “what is”. For example:
“Qu’est-ce que tu veux manger?” – “What do you want to eat?”
Quoi
Another translation for “what” in French is the word “quoi”. This is a shorter and more informal way of expressing “what”. It is commonly used in spoken French and can be translated as “what” or “what is”. For example:
“Quoi de neuf?” – “What’s new?”
“Je ne sais pas quoi faire.” – “I don’t know what to do.”
Que
The word “que” can also be used to translate “what” in certain contexts. It is typically used when “what” is the object of the sentence. For example:
“Je ne comprends pas ce que tu dis.” – “I don’t understand what you’re saying.”
“Il cherche ce que j’ai perdu.” – “He is looking for what I lost.”
These are just a few of the common translations for “what” in French. The translation can vary depending on the context, so it’s important to understand how and when to use each option.
Ways to ask “what” in French
In French, there are several ways to ask “what” depending on the context and the type of question. Here are some common phrases and expressions:
1. Qu’est-ce que –
This is the most straightforward way to ask “what” in French. It literally translates to “what is it that” in English. It is commonly used for direct questions.
Example: Qu’est-ce que tu veux manger ce soir? – What do you want to eat tonight?
2. Qu’est-ce qui –
This is another way to ask “what” in French, but it focuses on the subject of the sentence. It translates to “what is it that” in English. It is used when the answer is a specific thing or person.
Example: Qu’est-ce qui te préoccupe? – What is bothering you?
3. Quoi –
“Quoi” is a more informal and versatile way to ask “what” in French. It can be used in both direct and indirect questions. It is often used in spoken language and informal settings.
Example: Tu veux quoi? – What do you want?
4. Comment –
Although “comment” primarily means “how,” it can also be used to ask “what” in certain contexts. It is used when asking for a description or explanation.
Example: Comment ça marche? – What is the process?
Remember that the use of “what” in French depends on the specific question and the desired level of formality. Practice using these phrases and pay attention to the context to choose the appropriate way to ask “what” in French.
Basic phrases for asking “what” in French
If you ever find yourself in a French-speaking country and need to ask “what,” these basic phrases will come in handy:
| English Phrase | French Translation | Phonetic Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| What is your name? | Comment t’appelles-tu? (informal) / Comment vous appelez-vous? (formal) | koh-mawn tah-pel tyoo? / koh-mawn voozah-pay voo? |
| What time is it? | Quelle heure est-il? | kell uhr ay-teel? |
| What is this? | Qu’est-ce que c’est? | kess-kuh say? |
| What are you doing? | Qu’est-ce que tu fais? (informal) / Qu’est-ce que vous faites? (formal) | kess-kuh tyoo fay? / kess-kuh voo feh-t? |
| What do you want? | Qu’est-ce que tu veux? (informal) / Qu’est-ce que vous voulez? (formal) | kess-kuh tyoo vuh? / kess-kuh voo voo-lay? |
Remember to use the appropriate form of address (informal or formal) depending on who you are speaking to. With these phrases, you’ll be able to confidently ask “what” in French and get the information you need!
Polite manners of asking “what” in French
When asking “what” in French, it’s important to use the appropriate manners and expressions to be polite. Here are some commonly used phrases:
- Comment? – This is the most straightforward way to ask “what” in French. It can be used in both formal and informal situations.
- Excusez-moi? – This phrase means “excuse me?” and can be used when you want to politely ask someone to repeat what they said.
- Pardon? – Similar to “excuse me?”, “pardon?” is used to ask someone to repeat what they said in a polite manner.
- Puis-je vous demander de répéter? – This phrase translates to “may I ask you to repeat?”, and it’s a more formal way to ask someone to repeat what they said.
- Pouvez-vous répéter, s’il vous plaît? – Another formal way to ask someone to repeat what they said, this phrase translates to “can you repeat, please?”.
Remember to always use appropriate greetings and manners when interacting with others in French. Politeness is highly valued in French culture, and using these phrases will help you show respect and courtesy.
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