What does it mean word for word?
The phrase C'est quoi ton plat préféré ? literally translates to 'It is what your preferred dish?'
Which one should you use?
Quel est votre plat préféré? and Quel est ton plat préféré? both translate to 'What is your favorite dish?', whereas Quelle est votre nourriture préférée? and Quelle est ta nourriture préférée? mean 'What is your favorite food?'
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The choice of form depends on whom you are addressing. Use the informal C'est quoi ton plat préféré ? or Quel est ton plat préféré? when speaking to friends or peers. For formal or polite situations, such as speaking to strangers or superiors, use Quel est votre plat préféré? or Quelle est votre nourriture préférée?
When do people say it?
A natural way to answer this question is to start with mon plat préféré, c'est… followed by the food.
Did you know?
- In France, asking about a plat préféré may lead to a discussion about 'terroir', a concept referring to how the specific soil and climate of a region give food its unique taste.
- In French, the word plat traces its roots back to the Ancient Greek word platús, which means 'broad' or 'flat'. This connection explains why a 'dish' is conceptually linked to the flat surface of a plate.
- If you use the informal C'est quoi… structure, you are using a very common spoken form, but it is grammatically considered 'low register'. In a formal writing or a polite setting, one should always prefer the more elegant Quel est… structure.
Examples in context
- Quel est ton plat préféré? Pourquoi l'aimes-tu autant?What is your favorite dish? Why do you like it so much?
- Dis-moi, c'est quoi ton plat préféré ?Tell me, what is your favorite food?
- Je me demande, c'est quoi ton plat préféré ?I wonder, what is your favorite food?
Example conversation
Léa and Nathan are having lunch together at a cafe.
- LéaC'est quoi ton plat préféré ?What is your favorite food?
- NathanMoi, j'adore les pâtes.Me, I love pasta.
- LéaAh bon ? Moi, c'est le poulet.Really? For me, it's chicken.
- NathanLe poulet, c'est très bon aussi.Chicken is very good too.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries c'est, plat, quoi, ton, CC BY-SA 4.0.
