est-ce que c'est
In French, "is this" is expressed as est-ce que c'est.
The phrase est-ce que c'est is used to start a question when you are asking about the identity or the nature of something. To refer specifically to "this" when pointing to something close to you, you can use ceci.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, est-ce que c'est translates to "is it that it is".
Which one should you use?
While est-ce que c'est is used to frame a question, the declarative form c'est (it is) is used to make statements rather than ask them.
How does it change in a sentence?
est-ce que c'est acts as a fixed interrogative formula used to introduce a question regarding the identity or state of an object or a situation.
Did you know?
- The que in est-ce que c'est is a distant relative of the English word 'what' through their shared Proto-Indo-European ancestor *kʷid.
- In spoken French, you might hear people skip the formal est-ce que entirely and simply use a rising intonation with c'est to ask a question. This turns a statement into a query using only your voice.
- Using est-ce que is a way to avoid the 'inversion' of the subject and verb, which is the traditional but more formal way of asking a question in French.
Examples in context
- Qu'est-ce que c'est ?What is this?This is useful for asking "What is this?" using the form est-ce que c'est.Tatoeba #3094 by TRANG, translation #392210 by sysko
- Où est-ce que c'est ?Where is this?This is useful for asking "Where is this?" using the form est-ce que c'est.Tatoeba #10921241 by Micsmithel, translation #61660 by shekitten
- Est-ce que c'est à toi ?Is this yours?This is useful for asking "Is this yours?" using the form est-ce que c'est.Tatoeba #5139132 by kamillel, translation #1436332 by marcelostockle
- Est-ce que ceci est le document que vous attendiez?Is this the document you were expecting?
- Est-ce que cette proposition est acceptée?Is this proposal accepted?
- C'est ça le nouveau téléphone dont tu as parlé?Is this the new phone you mentioned?
- 75 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Gabriel are looking at a mysterious gift on a table.
- EmmaEst-ce que c'est ton cadeau ?Is this your gift?
- GabrielNon, je ne sais pas.No, I don't know.
- EmmaEst-ce que c'est pour moi ?Is this for me?
- GabrielPeut-être bien, Emma.Maybe so, Emma.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries c'est, que, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
