What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'What is it that does not go well at your place?', where chez toi functions as 'with you' or 'in your case'.
Which one should you use?
If you are addressing more than one person, or if you are using the formal vous to address a single person, use Qu'est-ce qui ne va pas chez vous ? instead of Qu'est-ce qui ne va pas chez toi ?
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Quel est votre problème ? is a formal way to ask 'What is your problem?', and Pourriez-vous me dire ce qui ne va pas ? is a formal way to ask 'Could you tell me what is not right?' In an informal context, Qu'est-ce qui t'arrive ? means 'What's happening to you?' For a much more aggressive, colloquial and confrontational tone, one might say T'as un problème ?, which translates to 'You got a problem?'
How does it change in a sentence?
You can omit chez toi to say Qu'est-ce qui ne va pas ?, which means 'What is wrong?' in a more general sense without specifically targeting the person's character or state.
Did you know?
- Before pas became the standard way to negate a verb, French speakers used other nouns like goutte for 'a drop' or mie for 'a crumb' to express 'not at all'.
- While Qu'est-ce qui ne va pas chez toi ? expresses frustration, using chez toi shifts the focus from a temporary problem to a perceived flaw in the person's character or nature.
- In very informal spoken French, the ne in ne va pas is almost always dropped, leaving only Qu'est-ce qui va pas chez toi ? Including the ne often makes the phrase sound more deliberate or emphatic.
Examples in context
- Excusez-moi, quel est votre problème ? Vous semblez souffrir.Excuse me, what is wrong with you? You seem to be in pain.
- Qu'est-ce qui t'arrive ? Tu as l'air épuisé(e).What's wrong with you? You look exhausted.
- Sérieusement, qu'est-ce qui ne va pas chez toi ?Seriously, what is wrong with you?
- Dis-moi, qu'est-ce qui ne va pas chez toi ?Tell me, what is wrong with you?
Example conversation
Hugo and Chloé are having an argument in a cafe.
- HugoTu cries sans raison, qu'est-ce qui ne va pas chez toi ?You are shouting for no reason, what is wrong with you?
- ChloéC'est toi qui es bizarre aujourd'hui.You are the one who is being weird today.
- HugoJe ne comprends vraiment pas ton comportement.I really don't understand your behavior.
- ChloéLaisse tomber, Hugo.Forget it, Hugo.
