What does it mean word for word?
The phrase qu'est-ce que tu dis ? literally translates to "what is it that you say?"
Which one should you use?
While qu'est-ce que tu dis ? is a direct way to ask for repetition, the word Comment ? is a much more polite and common way to ask someone to repeat themselves in French. In very casual spoken French, you may also hear the colloquial form Tu dis quoi ?
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The level of formality depends on your relationship with the listener. Qu'est-ce que tu dis ? is informal. If you are speaking to a stranger, a superior or a group of people, you should use the formal/polite qu'est-ce que vous dites ? or Que dites-vous? In very casual settings, one might simply say quoi ?, though this can sound blunt or even rude depending on the tone.
Did you know?
- The word comment literally means 'how', but it is the gold standard for polite requests for repetition in France.
- The word que in the phrase is a linguistic chameleon, acting as a descendant of several different Latin words including quid, quam, and quem.
- In rapid spoken French, the qu'est-ce que part of the phrase is often shortened or blurred, making it sound more like a single sound than four distinct words.
Examples in context
- Madame, que dites-vous de cette proposition?Madam, what do you say about this proposal?
- Chérie, qu'est-ce que tu dis de dîner au restaurant ce soir?Darling, what do you say about having dinner at a restaurant tonight?
Example conversation
Chloé and Nathan are talking in a noisy room.
- ChloéOn va au cinéma ce soir.We are going to the cinema tonight.
- NathanQu'est-ce que tu dis ?What do you say?
- ChloéJe dis qu'on va au cinéma !I say we're going to the cinema!
- NathanAh oui, c'est une super idée.Oh yes, that's a great idea.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries que, tu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
