Où est-ce ?
The English phrase "where is this?" can be translated into French as Où est-ce ?
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase Où est-ce ? is a literal combination of Où (where), est (is) and the demonstrative pronoun ce (this/it).
Did you know?
- If you use the word Où without its accent, you are no longer asking a question about location, but are instead providing a choice between two options.
- The grave accent in où was created specifically to distinguish the word for 'where' from the word ou, which means 'or'.
- In very formal or literary French, the phrase is often replaced by Où cela se trouve-t-il ?, which literally asks where this finds itself.
Examples in context
- Bonjour, pouvez-vous me dire où cela se trouve?Hello, can you tell me where this is located?
- Excuse-moi, tu sais où c'est?Excuse me, do you know where it is?
Example conversation
Manon and Hugo are looking at an old photo.
- ManonRegarde cette photo. Où est-ce ?Look at this photo. Where is this?
- HugoJe pense que c'est à Paris.I think it is in Paris.
- ManonC'est possible, mais je ne suis pas sûre.It's possible, but I'm not sure.
- HugoDemandons à nos parents.Let's ask our parents.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries où, CC BY-SA 4.0.
