How do you say "What is it that" in French?

"What is it that" in French is "Qu'est-ce qui". This phrase is commonly used in France.

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How to Say ‘What is it that’ in French

Q: What does "Qu'est-ce qui" mean in English?

"Qu'est-ce qui" means "What is it that" in English. Usage tip: This fixed expression introduces a question. Think of it as the French way of saying 'what is it that...?'

Qu'est-ce qui

k ay suh kee

[k ay suh kee]

💬 Usage Tip: This fixed expression introduces a question. Think of it as the French way of saying 'what is it that...?'

🇫🇷 In France: You'll hear this often in everyday life, not just at the doctor's office.

Phrase Breakdown

Qu'

[k]

what

Shortened form of que in a question, meaning what.

Example

Qu'est-ce qui ne va pas ?

What is wrong?

est-ce

ay suh

is it

Part of the common question pattern « qu'est-ce qui... » used to ask what is happening or what is causing something.

Example

Qu'est-ce qui se passe ?

What is happening?

Words in this phrase

est

[ay]

Form of the verb être, used here in a question structure.

Example

Qu'est-ce qui vous inquiète ?

What is worrying you?

-ce

[suh]

this/it

Part of the fixed question expression est-ce que / qu'est-ce qui; it helps form a question.

Example

Qu'est-ce qui fait mal ?

What hurts?

qui

[kee]

that / which

A relative pronoun meaning that or which; here it is part of the question phrase meaning what is it that.

Example

Qu'est-ce qui ne va pas aujourd'hui ?

What is wrong today?

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