What does it mean word for word?
The phrase Tu cherches quoi ? is a literal translation of 'You are looking for what?', where Tu is 'you', cherches is 'are looking for' and quoi is 'what'.
Which one should you use?
While Tu cherches quoi ? is a colloquial way to ask the question, Qu'est-ce que tu cherches ? is an informal way to say it and Que recherchez-vous ? is the formal way.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Tu cherches quoi ? is a colloquial and informal construction used in spoken French, placing the interrogative word at the end of the sentence. For a more formal situation, you should use Que recherchez-vous ? or Que cherchez-vous ?
How does it change in a sentence?
In the formal version Que cherchez-vous ?, the 'vous' form and inversion are used. If you are addressing a group or using the formal 'vous' in a casual way, you can use the informal/spoken version Vous cherchez quoi ?
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly add a preposition like 'pour' after 'chercher' (e.g., 'chercher pour'), but in French, the verb chercher already means 'to look for'.
Did you know?
- While chercher means 'to look for', if you use it with a reflexive pronoun as se chercher, it can describe someone having an existential crisis or trying to find their true self.
- The verb chercher is a linguistic cousin of the English word 'search'.
- The word quoi shares the same ancient root as the English word 'what', even though they sound nothing alike due to historical sound shifts known as Grimm's law.
Example conversation
Hugo sees Chloé rummaging through her desk.
- HugoTu cherches quoi ?What are you looking for?
- ChloéMes clés de voiture.My car keys.
- HugoElles sont sur la table.They are on the table.
- ChloéAh, merci Hugo !Ah, thanks Hugo!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries quoi, tu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
