How to Say ‘What’ in French
Qu'est-ce qui
k eh suh kee
[k eh suh kee]
💬 Usage Tip: This chunk means 'what is it that...' and often starts questions. Think of it as a useful fixed expression.
🇫🇷 In France: French often builds questions with chunks like qu'est-ce qui instead of changing word order dramatically.
Phrase Breakdown
Qu'
[k]
what
Shortened form in a question phrase meaning what.
Qu'est-ce qui vous inquiète aujourd'hui ?
What is worrying you today?
est
[eh]
is
Form of être used in question structures.
Qu'est-ce qui est difficile à supporter ?
What is difficult to bear?
-ce
[suh]
it
Part of the fixed expression est-ce que or qu'est-ce qui used to form questions.
Qu'est-ce qui vous fait mal ?
What is hurting you?
qui
[kee]
that
Relative pronoun here meaning that or which in the question pattern.
Qu'est-ce qui vous soulage un peu ?
What relieves you a little?
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