😠❓✋

How to Say ‘What the hell are you doing?’ in French

Qu'est-ce que tu fous ?

k eh suh kuh too foo

[k eh suh kuh too foo]

💬 Usage Tip: Here foutre simply replaces faire "to do". Saying Qu'est-ce que tu fais ? gives the neutral version.

Phrase Breakdown

Qu'est-ce que

k eh suh kuh

What

A standard question opener, pronounced "kess-kuh". In fast speech it shrinks to "kesk".

Example

Qu'est-ce que c'est ?

What is it?

Words in this phrase

Qu'

[k]

What

Used to ask for information about something.

Example

Qu'est-ce qui se passe ?

What is happening?

est

[eh]

Third person singular present of be.

Example

C'est important.

It is important.

-ce

[suh]

question marker

In est-ce que, this element helps form a standard yes/no question in French.

Example

Est-ce qu'il y a un parking gratuit ?

Is there free parking?

que

[kuh]

What

Used to introduce a clause of surprise or emphasis.

Example

Que c'est beau ici !

How beautiful it is here!

tu fous ?

too foo

the hell are you doing?

"Fous" comes from "foutre" and is a rude way to say "do". Say "tü foo", with rising intonation for the question.

Example

Mais tu fous quoi là ?

What the hell are you doing?

Words in this phrase

[too]

you (informal singular)

Informal subject pronoun “you”. Used with friends; common when discussing tastes in anime.

Example

Tu aimes les shōnen ?

Do you like shōnen?

fous

[foo]

are doing (vulgar)

Form of the vulgar verb 'foutre', used crudely to mean 'to do'.

Example

Mais qu'est-ce qu'il fout là ?

What the hell is he doing here?

Guides for French learners

Ordering in French: Cafés, Bakeries and Restaurants (with Menu Vocabulary)How to order in French at a café, a bakery and a restaurant: the phrases, the questions staff ask, and the menu and food vocabulary to understand the answers.Hello in French: Greetings, Good Evening and How to Answer "How Are You?"How to say hello in French, when to switch to good evening, how to ask how are you and what to answer, with tu vs vous and native audio.

Get the Full Learning Experience

This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.

Pronunciation Feedback

AI-powered feedback on what you say out loud

Spaced Repetition

Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice

Immersive Roleplaying

Practice real conversations with AI partners

Lessons for Your Situation

Request lessons tailored to your specific needs

Get Full Lesson

What Learners Are Saying

“Moved to Lyon for a culinary apprenticeship. The food and restaurant lessons were exactly what I needed — my French colleagues were genuinely impressed.”

Tom H., 38, Chef

“Studying in Paris and the academic French I learned in school was useless for daily life. This app filled the gap in weeks, not months.”

Nina W., 29, Graduate Student

“Learning a language has never been as immediately impactful. Now I can charm the locals and navigate the food scene like a boss.”

Alex M., 42, Software Engineer