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How to Say ‘What does it’ in French

Qu'est-ce qu'il

k ay suh k eel

[k ay suh k eel]

💬 Usage Tip: [Qu'est-ce que] is a fixed question pattern meaning what. Before [il], the [que] becomes [qu'] and links straight into the next word: [qu'est-ce qu'il], [qu'est-ce qu'elle].

Phrase Breakdown

Qu'

[k]

what

Contracted form used in questions starting with what.

Example

Qu'est-ce qu'il comprend ? Qu' introduces the question.

What does it include? Qu' introduces the question.

est

[ay]

is

Part of the fixed question form qu'est-ce que.

Example

Qu'est-ce qu'il comprend ? Est is part of the question pattern.

What does it include? Est is part of the question pattern.

-ce

[suh]

this; it

Part of est-ce, a set phrase used in questions.

Example

Qu'est-ce qu'il comprend ? -ce helps form the question.

What does it include? -ce helps form the question.

qu'

[k]

that

Contracted form of que before a vowel; part of the question structure here.

Example

Qu'est-ce qu'il comprend ? Qu' links to il.

What does it include? Qu' links to il.

il

[eel]

he; it

Subject pronoun meaning he or it; here it usually refers to the menu.

Example

Qu'est-ce qu'il comprend ? Il refers to the menu.

What does it include? Il refers to the menu.

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