How do you say "What is this?" in French?

"What is this?" in French is "Qu'est-ce que c'est ?". This phrase is commonly used in France.

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How to Say ‘What is this?’ in French

Q: What does "Qu'est-ce que c'est ?" mean in English?

"Qu'est-ce que c'est ?" means "What is this?" in English. Usage tip: [Qu'est-ce que c'est ?] is a fixed everyday way to ask "what is this?" Notice how [qu'] and [c'] are shortened before vowel sounds, so they always attach to the next word.

Qu'est-ce que c'est ?

k ay suh kuh say ay

[k ay suh kuh say ay]

💬 Usage Tip: [Qu'est-ce que c'est ?] is a fixed everyday way to ask "what is this?" Notice how [qu'] and [c'] are shortened before vowel sounds, so they always attach to the next word.

Phrase Breakdown

Qu'

[k]

what

Short form starting the expression 'qu'est-ce que', used to ask 'what'.

Example

Qu'est-ce que c'est sur la table ?

What is that on the table?

est

[ay]

Form of être meaning 'is'.

Example

Qu'est-ce que c'est ici ?

What is this here?

-ce

[suh]

this / it

Part of the fixed question pattern 'est-ce que'; it helps form questions but is not translated literally every time.

Example

Qu'est-ce que c'est dans la vitrine ?

What is that in the display window?

que

[kuh]

that

Connector word in the fixed expression 'qu'est-ce que'; often not translated word-for-word in English.

Example

Qu'est-ce que c'est que ce bruit ?

What is that noise?

[say]

it / this

Short form of 'ce' before a vowel in 'c'est', meaning 'it is' or 'this is'.

Example

Qu'est-ce que c'est, ce produit ?

What is this product?

est

[ay]

Form of être meaning 'is'.

Example

Qu'est-ce que c'est ici ?

What is this here?

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