Learn How to Say “What” in French in 6 Different Ways

Bon voyage! A world brimming with culture, elegance, and an undeniable je ne sais quoi beckons you to embark on a linguistic journey through the French language. As you pack your mental suitcase, one word, in particular, is sure to be a crucial item: "What."

"What" — a word so simple yet so essential — has several different translations in French. Each carrying its own unique nuances and usage, these multiple variations serve as a passport to your understanding of the French language.

So, let's embark on this voyage ensemble — or, shall we say, together.

Qu’est-ce que/qui (What Is?)

The phrases qu’est-ce que and qu’est-ce qui may seem cumbersome to someone seeking a one-word translation, yet their use in French is quite prevalent. They both are question words that translate directly to "What is?" in English.

Qu'est-ce que c'est? is a phrase commonly used when the subject is unknown or when asking about an object's nature or identity. For example:

However, qu'est-ce qui is used when the subject of the question is the thing doing the action.

In general, qu’est-ce qui is less frequently used, and when it is, it's often part of a standard phrase like qu’est-ce qui se passe? This is the question that essentially asks, "What is happening?" It's an essential phrase to master when navigating through day-to-day French conversations to avoid sounding awkward.

So, you use que when talking about an “object” and qui when talking about a “subject.”

Here are some examples for better understanding:

Que (What..?)

The French word que is commonly used at the beginning of a sentence. Its usage has a straightforward guideline: it typically appears at the start of a statement, with a few exceptions where it stands alone.

However, the word itself is like a chameleon — it changes depending on the context. In questions, it takes on the role of “what” in French, preceding verbs, and acting as a direct object.

For instance:

It's important to remember that in French, que undergoes liaison — a process where its pronunciation changes when followed by a vowel, usually abbreviated.

Here are some practical examples of how to use que to mean “what” in French, making your learning process both informative and hands-on:

In other instances, que can signify “that” or “which,” playing a critical role in connecting phrases and ideas.

The versatility of que makes it an indispensable tool in your French language arsenal.

Quoi (...What?)

The French term quoi is incredibly versatile and practical. It's predominantly used to convey the meaning of “what” in various contexts.

For one, if you're looking to express surprise or disbelief, quoi should be your go-to. It's typically found at the end of sentences, mirroring the English usage of "...what?"

Imagine you've just heard an unbelievable piece of news; your response might be:

Here's how you can incorporate it into your French vocabulary:

Quel (What specifically?)

The French term quel and its variants are typically translated to “which” in English. It changes form based on gender and number:

However, these can also be used in contexts where “what” would be used in English sentences — quel or its variants are employed when referring to a specific object that already exists.

Here's how you can use it to say “what” in French:

For instance, if you're shopping for clothes and want to inquire about a specific color, you'd ask:

The answer will surely provide the specificity you seek.

Ce que / Ce qui / Ce Dont / Ce À quoi (“What” as an Object)

This group of relative pronouns may seem daunting at first glance, but fear not! All of these phrases are akin to saying "that’s what..." in English, and we’ve covered some of them in the previous sections. They each play a unique role in providing additional information or clarification about something previously mentioned.

Consider this sentence:

Here, ce que translates to “what” in English, referring to something previously mentioned in the conversation.

Take a look at some more examples:

As pointed out in the segment on quoi, it is applied after a preposition. Thus, you would use ce à quoi or ce dont to denote “what” when it relates to an object, like here:

Moreover, ce can be paired with other prepositions, but we’ll stick to the basics in this guide. Understanding these building blocks will significantly enhance your conversational fluency.

Et si…? (What if..?)

Last but certainly not least, we have et si.

This phrase allows you to speculate and dream in French — asking those daring what if?” questions that open doors to countless possibilities.

While you might occasionally hear English speakers starting a sentence with "And if...?", it's much more common and natural sounding in French. This usage can add depth to your conversations, allowing you to propose hypothetical situations or express concerns in a nuanced way.

Thinking of asking someone on a date? You might say:

From contemplating life-changing decisions to simply wondering about tomorrow's weather, et si adds a layer of intrigue and curiosity to your French dialogues.

Wrapping Up

As you can see, there's more than meets the eye when it comes to saying “what” in French. Each variation — be it qu’est-ce que, quoi, que, quel, or et si — offers a unique perspective and depth to your conversation.

So, next time you find yourself navigating through the picturesque streets of Paris or conversing with a native speaker, French learners remember these six ways of expressing “what.”

With this linguistic passport — and the Readle app — at hand, you’re well on your way to mastering the beautiful language of Molière. À bientôt!