What does it mean word for word?
The expression qu'est-ce que c'est ? literally breaks down to "what is it that it is?"
Which one should you use?
While qu'est-ce que c'est ? is used to ask "what is it?", the variation Qu'est-ce que c'est que ça? adds more emphasis on the specific thing being pointed at, translating more closely to "what is *that*?"
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For more informal situations, you can use Qu'est-ce que c'est que ça? or C'est quoi ça? In casual spoken French, people often use C'est quoi ? instead of qu'est-ce que c'est ? If you need to be formal, use Pourriez-vous me dire ce que c'est?, which means "Could you tell me what that is?"
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase qu'est-ce que c'est ? is a fixed expression used to identify objects and does not change its structure based on the object being identified.
Did you know?
- The phrase qu'est-ce que c'est ? is so common that it is often used as a general exclamation of surprise or confusion, similar to saying 'What on earth is this?' in English.
- Despite containing several words, qu'est-ce que c'est ? functions as a single block of meaning. You never change any part of the phrase regardless of whether the object you are asking about is singular, plural, masculine or feminine.
- The word que in qu'est-ce que c'est ? is a linguistic sibling of quoi. While both mean 'what', que is used in the flow of a sentence and quoi is used for emphasis or at the end of a phrase.
Examples in context
- Qu'est-ce que c'est que ça? J'ai jamais vu ça!What is that? I've never seen that before!
- C'est quoi ça? Ça a l'air délicieux!What is that? It looks delicious!
- Pourriez-vous me dire ce que c'est? J'ai du mal à comprendre.Could you tell me what that is? I am having trouble understanding.
- Qu'est-ce que c'est que cela? Cela semble très intéressant.What is that? It looks very interesting.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Chloé are looking at a strange object on a table.
- GabrielQu'est-ce que c'est ?What is that?
- ChloéC'est un nouveau jouet.It is a new toy.
- GabrielC'est très étrange.It is very strange.
- ChloéOui, je sais.Yes, I know.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries c'est, que, CC BY-SA 4.0.
