c'est quoi ce bordel
In French, "what the" can be expressed as c'est quoi ce bordel.
The phrase c'est quoi ce bordel is used to express intense frustration, confusion or shock at a chaotic situation. It functions similarly to the English expression "what the hell" to signal general astonishment.
Meaning: expression of astonishment (intj)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
c'est quoi ce bordel is highly informal and uses vulgar language, making it equivalent to the English 'what the fuck'. For a less vulgar, informal alternative, you can use Qu'est-ce que c'est que ça to mean "what the heck is that" or use Quoi in a questioning tone to express surprise or disbelief.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In France, the phrase Qu'est-ce que c'est que ce bordel is commonly used and translates to "what the hell is this mess".
How does it change in a sentence?
While 'bordel' is vulgar, the phrase can be used to express general astonishment or confusion.
Did you know?
- While 'what the hell' in English often uses 'hell' as a religious intensifier, c'est quoi ce bordel uses a word that literally translates to 'brothel'.
- The word bordel originally referred to a small hut or a shack in Old French before it evolved to mean a brothel.
- Using bordel to describe a situation is common in France, but in some other French-speaking regions, it can be perceived as significantly more offensive than it is in Paris.
Examples in context
- C'est quoi ce bordel ?What the fuck?This sentence is useful for seeing how to use c'est quoi ce bordel.Tatoeba #6534518 by Blabla, translation #482234 by blay_paul
- Qu'est-ce que c'est que ça? Je ne comprends pas.What the heck is that? I don't understand.
- Qu'est-ce que c'est que ce bordel? Tout est en désordre ici!What the hell is this mess? Everything is in chaos here!
- C'est quoi ce bordel dans la cuisine ?What the hell is going on in the kitchen?
- C'est quoi ce bordel avec ces câbles ?What the hell is with these cables?
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas finds a massive pile of laundry on the living room floor.
- LucasC'est quoi ce bordel ici ?What the hell is this mess here?
- ManonC'est juste mon sac de linge, Lucas.It is just my laundry bag, Lucas.
- LucasTu as envahi tout le salon !You have invaded the whole living room!
- ManonDésolée, je vais le ranger.Sorry, I will put it away.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bordel, c'est, ce, quoi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
