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How to Say ‘What do you want?’ in French

Qu'est-ce que vous voulez ?

k eh suh kuh voo voo-lay

[k eh suh kuh voo voo-lay]

💬 Usage Tip: Qu'est-ce que is just a long way of saying "what" at the start of a question. Swap the end to reuse it: Qu'est-ce que vous cherchez ? "What are you looking for?"

Phrase Breakdown

Qu'est-ce que

k eh suh kuh

What (is it that)

A common way to start a 'what' question. Say it as 'kess-kuh', in one quick flow.

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]

that / what

Links ce to the rest of the clause; together ce que often means what.

Example

Montre Ce que tu ne comprends pas sur la feuille.

Show what you do not understand on the worksheet.

vous voulez ?

voo voo-lay

do you want?

'Vouloir' (to want) in the formal 'vous' form. Say it as 'voo voo-lay', with the voice rising for the question.

Example

Vous voulez un café ?

Do you want a coffee?

Words in this phrase

vous

[voo]

you

Used to refer to the person or people being addressed.

Example

Vous aimez le film?

Do you like the movie?

voulez

[voo-lay]

want

Form of vouloir used with vous; in service contexts it often means would you like.

Example

Vous voulez une place près de la fenêtre ?

Would you like a seat near the window?

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.

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