What does it mean word for word?
The phrase Qu'est-ce que tu aimerais manger ? literally translates to "What is it that you would like to eat?"
Which one should you use?
While Qu'est-ce que tu aimerais manger ? uses the conditional mood to remain polite, the phrase Qu'est-ce que tu veux manger ? is more direct and blunt because it uses the present indicative.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The informal way to ask this is Qu'est-ce que tu aimerais manger ? For formal situations, you can use Que désirez-vous manger ? or Qu'aimeriez-vous manger ? In very casual spoken French, you might also hear Tu aimerais manger quoi ?, which places the question word at the end of the sentence.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain regions, the casual expression Tu veux manger quoi ? is used to ask what someone wants to eat.
How does it change in a sentence?
To be polite or to address more than one person, use the form Qu'est-ce que vous aimeriez manger ?
Did you know?
- The French have a specific expression manger sur le pouce, which literally means 'to eat on the thumb' but actually refers to eating a quick snack or fast food.
- The verb manger is a distant relative of the English word 'devour', both stemming from the Late Latin word 'manducare' which meant 'to chew'.
- The phrase Qu'est-ce que is so common that in rapid spoken French, it often sounds like a single word Kess-ke.
Example conversation
Hugo and Emma are deciding on a meal.
- HugoQu'est-ce que tu aimerais manger ?What would you like to eat?
- EmmaJ'aimerais manger des pâtes.I would like to eat pasta.
- HugoC'est une excellente idée !That's an excellent idea!
- EmmaMerci, Hugo.Thank you, Hugo.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries manger, que, tu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
