Take the fastest path to fluent French
To ask questions withwhat in French, we actually use different words or expressions depending on the context.
How to ask questions with "what" in French
What?(on its own)
To simply askWhat?on its own, usingQuoi ?,though correct,is actuallyconsidered a bit abruptand rude. Instead, we consider it more polite to useComment ?
Tu veux du thé ? - Quoi ?Do you want tea? - What?
Tu veux du thé ? -Comment?Do you want tea? - What?
What [...]?
To ask What [...]?in French, you can either:
- Use the expression Qu'est-ce queat the start,followed by your statement in the normal order.
Qu'est-ce que tu fais ?What are you doing?
Qu'est-ce que c'est ?What is it?
Qu'est-ce qu'il mange ?What does he eat?
-> Note thatque becomesqu'when followed by a vowel or mute 'h'.
OR
-Keep your normal statement followed byquoiat the end.
Tu faisquoi?What are you doing?
C'estquoi?What is it?
Il mange quoi ?What does he eat?
ATTENTION:
Quecan be used at the start, but the statement will then be inverted (it's a more formal way of asking questions).
See Inverted questions in the present tense (Le Présent) in French - regular forms (except il/elle/on forms)
Whilequ'est-ce quemeanswhat ...,est-ce queintroduces a YES or NO question (is it that...).
SeeAsking yes/no questions in French with intonation, est-ce que, n'est-ce pas (French Questions)
Want to make sure your French sounds confident? We’ll map your knowledge and give you free lessons to focus on your gaps and mistakes. Start your Brainmap today »
Test your French to the CEFR standard
Learn more about these related French grammar topics
Examples and resources
Qu'est-ce que vous voulez voir?What do you want to see?
Tu veux du thé ? - Quoi ?Do you want tea? - What?
Tu veux du thé ? -Comment?Do you want tea? - What?
Qu'est-ce qu'il mange ?What does he eat?
Il mange quoi ?What does he eat?
Qu'est-ce que c'est ?What is it?
Qu'est-ce que tu fais ?What are you doing?
Tu faisquoi?What are you doing?
C'estquoi?What is it?
