à propos de quoi
The English phrase "about what" can be translated into French as à propos de quoi.
This phrase is used to ask for the subject or topic of something.
Which one should you use?
à propos de quoi is the full, formal construction, whereas de quoi is a shorter, clipped version used when the topic is already understood. In casual spoken French, à propos de quoi is often shortened to just de quoi.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
à propos de quoi is a formal way to express "about what". In contrast, de quoi is an informal, common way to ask this in casual conversation.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because this specific interrogative structure ends with the preposition de, you must use the word quoi to mean "what" rather than using the subject pronoun que. In informal contexts where the topic is already established, you may use the shorter de quoi.
Did you know?
- In very casual spoken French, the word quoi is often used as a filler word at the end of sentences, similar to how English speakers use 'you know' or 'like'. In this context, it has nothing to do with asking a question.
- If you are surprised and ask Quoi ? in a formal setting, it can sound aggressive or rude to a French speaker. To be polite, people often use Comment ? which literally means 'How?'
- While à propos de quoi asks about a topic, the phrase à propos on its own can mean 'by the way' or 'incidentally'. Using it this way allows a speaker to abruptly shift the subject of a conversation.
Examples in context
- « Pourrais-je te poser quelques questions ? » « Des questions à propos de quoi ? »"Could I ask you a few questions?" "Questions about what?"This example shows how to use à propos de quoi to ask for the subject of some questions.Tatoeba #11293251 by Micsmithel, translation #1858754 by CK
- « Je parlais justement à Tom. » « À propos de quoi ? » « À propos de ce que Marie a fait. »"I was just talking to Tom." "About what?" "About what Mary did."This example shows how to use à propos de quoi to ask for the subject of a conversation.Tatoeba #11259843 by Micsmithel, translation #3302497 by CK
- De quoi parlez-vous ?What are you talking about?
- À quoi pensez-vous ?What are you thinking about?
- De quoi tu parles ?What do you talk about?
- À propos de quoi souhaitez-vous que je vous informe ?What would you like me to inform you about?
- De quoi on parle lors de la réunion de demain ?What are we talking about in tomorrow's meeting?
- Tu veux me parler à propos de quoi ?What do you want to talk to me about?
Example conversation
Lucas and Manon are talking on the phone.
- LucasManon, j'ai besoin de te voir.Manon, I need to see you.
- ManonD'accord, mais à propos de quoi ?Okay, but about what?
- LucasÀ propos de ton nouveau travail.About your new job.
- ManonAh, je peux t'en parler demain.Ah, I can talk to you about it tomorrow.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
