How do you say "What's the matter?" in French?

"What's the matter?" in French is "Qu'est-ce qu'il y a ?". This phrase is commonly used in France.

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How to Say ‘What's the matter?’ in French

Q: What does "Qu'est-ce qu'il y a ?" mean in English?

"Qu'est-ce qu'il y a ?" means "What's the matter?" in English. Usage tip: [Il y a] often means [there is/there are], but in [Qu'est-ce qu'il y a ?] it means [what's wrong?/what's the matter?]. You'll hear the same pattern in [Il y a un problème] = [There's a problem].

Qu'est-ce qu'il y a ?

k eh suh keel eel ee ah

[k eh suh keel eel ee ah]

💬 Usage Tip: [Il y a] often means [there is/there are], but in [Qu'est-ce qu'il y a ?] it means [what's wrong?/what's the matter?]. You'll hear the same pattern in [Il y a un problème] = [There's a problem].

Phrase Breakdown

Qu'est-ce

k eh suh

What

Part of the common question form qu'est-ce que / qu'est-ce qui, used to ask what something is or what is happening.

Example

Qu'est-ce que tu fais ?

What are you doing?

Words in this phrase

Qu'

[k]

what

Part of the common question qu'est-ce qu'il y a ?, meaning what's the matter?

Example

Qu'est-ce qu'il y a ? L'eau chaude est coupée ?

What's the matter? Is the hot water off?

est

[eh]

Form of être used in the question expression.

Example

Qu'est-ce qu'il y a ? La chaudière est en panne ?

What's the matter? Is the boiler broken?

-ce

[suh]

this / it

Part of the fixed expression qu'est-ce; not translated literally.

Example

Qu'est-ce qu'il y a ? Vous avez besoin d'un rendez-vous ?

What's the matter? Do you need an appointment?

Qu'il y a

keel eel ee ah

There is / there are

In the expression qu'est-ce qu'il y a ?, it helps form the meaning 'what is there?' or 'what's wrong?'

Example

Qu'est-ce qu'il y a ?

What's wrong?

Words in this phrase

qu'

[keel]

that

Contracted form of que in the question structure.

Example

Qu'est-ce qu'il y a ? Qu'il y a une fuite peut-être ?

What's the matter? Is there a leak maybe?

[eel]

Part of il y a, a fixed phrase meaning there is / there are.

Example

Qu'est-ce qu'il y a ? Il n'y a plus d'eau chaude ?

What's the matter? There is no more hot water?

[ee]

there

Part of il y a, which means there is / there are.

Example

Qu'est-ce qu'il y a ? Y a-t-il un problème de chauffe-eau ?

What's the matter? Is there a water-heater problem?

[ah]

is / are

In il y a, a means there is or there are.

Example

Qu'est-ce qu'il y a ? Il y a une urgence ?

What's the matter? Is there an emergency?

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