c'est quoi ce bordel
In French, the phrase "wtf" is expressed as c'est quoi ce bordel.
Meaning: What the fuck (phrase)
Which one should you use?
To increase the intensity of your frustration, you can add putain to the end of the phrase, resulting in c'est quoi ce bordel putain.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
c'est quoi ce bordel is informal and contains a vulgarity. It is suitable for casual speech but not professional settings.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is a declarative structure used as an exclamatory question, common in spoken French.
Did you know?
- While bordel refers to a brothel, it originates from the Medieval Latin word bordellum, which meant a small hut or cottage.
- The word putain, often added for intensity, originally means 'prostitute' but is used as a general-purpose filler word similar to 'fuck' in English.
- French speakers often use bordel as a standalone exclamation to express anger or surprise, similar to how an English speaker might say 'damn' or 'what a mess'.
Examples in context
- Mais c'est quoi ce bordel !What the fuck is going on!
- C'est quoi ce bordel dans la cuisine ?What the fuck is this mess in the kitchen?
Example conversation
Emma and Hugo arrive home to find their living room trashed.
- EmmaC'est quoi ce bordel ?What the fuck is this?
- HugoJe ne sais pas, Emma.I don't know, Emma.
- EmmaOn a été cambriolés ?Were we robbed?
- HugoAppelle la police, vite !Call the police, fast!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bordel, c'est, ce, quoi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
