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How to Say ‘Who is the teacher?’ in French

C'est qui, la maîtresse ?

s eh kee lah meh-TRESS

[s eh kee lah meh-TRESS]

💬 Usage Tip: Spoken French often says the question first, then tacks the subject on after a comma. C'est quand, la sortie ? "When is the trip?" works the same way.

Phrase Breakdown

C'est qui,

s eh kee

Who is

This is a casual question. The subject comes after a short pause: say KEE.

Example

C'est qui, ton ami ?

Who is your friend?

Words in this phrase

[s]

it / this

"C'" stands for "ce" and means "it" or "this" in expressions like "c'est."

Example

C'est agréable de parler avec une équipe accueillante.

It's pleasant to speak with a welcoming team.

est

[eh]

Third person singular present of be.

Example

C'est important.

It is important.

qui

[kee]

Who

Used to introduce a clause giving more information about a person.

Example

C'est le garçon qui habitait ici.

That's the boy who lived here.

la maîtresse ?

lah meh-TRESS

the teacher?

Say lah meh-TRESS, rising at the end.

Example

Elle est où, la maîtresse ?

Where is the teacher?

Words in this phrase

[lah]

the (feminine singular)

Definite article used before a feminine singular noun.

Example

La réservation est déjà confirmée pour samedi soir.

The reservation is already confirmed for Saturday evening.

maîtresse

[meh-TRESS]

teacher (female, primary school)

Word for a female primary school teacher.

Example

Ma fille adore sa maîtresse.

My daughter loves her teacher.

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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