qu'est-ce que c'est
/k‿ɛs kə s‿ɛ/
The English phrase "what is this" is translated into French as qu'est-ce que c'est.
Qu'est-ce que c'est is a common and straightforward way to ask for the identity or name of an object.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a literal construction meaning "what is it that it is".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In casual spoken French, people often replace the long qu'est-ce que c'est with the much shorter c'est quoi ? For a more polite way to ask 'What is this?', you can use Pourriez-vous me dire ce que c'est ? Additionally, the informal expression C'est quoi ça ? is used to ask "What is this?"
How does it change in a sentence?
When adding the demonstrative pronoun ça (this/that) for emphasis, the phrase becomes qu'est-ce que c'est que ça.
How do you pronounce it?
/k‿ɛs kə s‿ɛ/
Did you know?
- Depending on the intonation, qu'est-ce que c'est can transition from a polite inquiry to a sharp expression of disgust or shock.
- The word que in qu'est-ce que c'est is a linguistic relative of the English word 'what', as both descend from the same ancient Proto-Indo-European root *kʷid.
- The phrase c'est quoi is technically grammatically incorrect by strict academic standards, yet it is the most common way to ask 'what is this' in daily life.
Examples in context
- Qu'est-ce que c'est ?What is this?This example shows the standard way to ask "What is this?"Tatoeba #3094 by TRANG, translation #392210 by sysko
- Oh, qu'est-ce que c'est que ça ?Oh, what is this?This example demonstrates the use of the phrase with ça for emphasis.Tatoeba #483936 by sacredceltic, translation #33021 by orcrist
- Qu'est-ce que c'est que ce raffut ?What is this racket about?This example shows how the phrase can be used to ask about a noise or racket.Tatoeba #11174633 by lbdx, translation #11960444 by zogwarg
- Excusez-moi, pourriez-vous me dire ce que c'est, s'il vous plaît?Excuse me, could you tell me what this is, please?
- Hey, c'est quoi ça?Hey, what is this?
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Léa are looking at a mysterious object on the table.
- GabrielQu'est-ce que c'est ?What is this?
- LéaC'est un nouveau gadget.It is a new gadget.
- GabrielÇa a l'air intéressant.That looks interesting.
- LéaOui, il est très utile.Yes, it is very useful.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry qu'est-ce que c'est, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries c'est, qu'est-ce que c'est, que, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
