Overview
The French phrase 'Qu'est-ce que' is a fundamental interrogative structure used to ask 'What is it?' or more generally, 'What...?' when referring to objects or concepts. It's a versatile expression that can introduce a wide range of questions.
Let's break down its components:
- Qu': This is a contraction of 'que' (what) and 'e' (a silent letter often dropped before a vowel). 'Que' itself is an interrogative pronoun.
- Est-ce: This literally means 'is it' or 'it is'. 'Est' is the third-person singular form of the verb 'être' (to be), and 'ce' is a demonstrative pronoun meaning 'this' or 'that'. When combined as 'est-ce', it creates an inversion used for questions.
- Que: In this position, the second 'que' acts as a relative pronoun, linking the initial 'Qu'est-ce' to the rest of the question.
Together, 'Qu'est-ce que' forms a common and grammatically correct way to ask 'What...?' in French. It's typically followed by a subject and a verb. For example:
- Qu'est-ce que c'est ? (What is it?) - This is perhaps the most common usage, directly asking for the identity of something.
* **Qu'est-ce que tu fais ?** (What are you doing?)
- Qu'est-ce que vous regardez ? (What are you watching?)
* **Qu'est-ce qu'il mange ?** (What is he eating?)
It's important to note the distinction between 'Qu'est-ce que' and 'Qui est-ce que' or 'Qui est-ce qui'. While 'Qu'est-ce que' refers to objects or abstract concepts, 'Qui est-ce que' (whom) and 'Qui est-ce qui' (who) are used for people.
Also, 'Qu'est-ce qui' (what) is used when 'what' is the subject of the sentence, whereas 'Qu'est-ce que' is used when 'what' is the object.
For example:
- Qu'est-ce qui se passe ? (What is happening?) - 'Qui' is the subject here.
- Qu'est-ce que tu lis ? (What are you reading?) - 'Que' is the object here (you are reading what).
Mastering 'Qu'est-ce que' is a crucial step in forming interrogative sentences in French and understanding how to inquire about things in a natural and grammatically sound way.
Beispiele
Qu'est-ce que c'est ?
What is it?
Qu'est-ce que tu fais ?
What are you doing?
Qu'est-ce que vous voulez ?
What do you want?
Wird oft verwechselt mit
80+ WORDS
Grammatikmuster
So verwendest du es
"Qu'est-ce que" is used to ask "what" about objects, actions, or concepts. It typically introduces a direct question where the answer is expected to be a thing or an idea. For example, "Qu'est-ce que c'est ?" means "What is it?". When asking "What are you doing?", you would say "Qu'est-ce que tu fais ?". This construction is followed by a subject and a verb. It can also be followed by a noun phrase or a pronoun. It's important to differentiate it from "Qui est-ce que" (Who is it that), which is used for people. Also, while "Que" alone can sometimes mean "What," "Qu'est-ce que" is more common in spoken French for direct questions and provides a clear, unambiguous interrogative structure.
1. Confusing 'qu'est-ce que' with 'qu'est-ce qui'. 'Que' is for objects (what) while 'qui' is for subjects (who/what). For example, 'Qu'est-ce que tu manges?' (What are you eating?) vs. 'Qu'est-ce qui se passe?' (What is happening?). 2. Incorrectly using it with people. 'Qu'est-ce que' refers to objects. For people, you'd typically use 'Qui est-ce que...' (Who is it that...). 3. Overusing it in situations where a simpler 'Que' or 'Quoi' might suffice, though 'Qu'est-ce que' is generally grammatically safe and common. 4. Forgetting the hyphenation. It's 'Qu'est-ce que', not 'Qu'est ce que'.
Tipps
Formal vs. Informal
'Qu'est-ce que' is a very common and versatile phrase. While it literally means 'What is it that,' it functions as a direct 'What' when asking about things. It is generally considered grammatically correct and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though in very casual speech, you might hear 'C'est quoi?' (What is it?) or simply 'Quoi?' (What?).
Inversion vs. 'Est-ce que'
In French, you can form questions using inversion (e.g., 'Que voulez-vous?' - What do you want?). However, 'qu'est-ce que' is often preferred because it avoids the sometimes awkward inverted structures, especially with certain verbs. It acts as a simpler, more direct way to ask 'what.'
Usage with verbs and nouns
'Qu'est-ce que' is typically followed by a subject and a verb (e.g., 'Qu'est-ce que tu manges?' - What are you eating?). When you want to ask 'What is it?' about an object, you use 'Qu'est-ce que c'est?' or 'Qu'est-ce que c'est que ça?' for emphasis. Remember, it's always followed by a clause.
Wortherkunft
Literally translates to 'what is it that'. It is a common and versatile interrogative phrase in French, used to inquire about the nature or identity of something. The word 'que' comes from the Latin 'quid', meaning 'what'. The phrase 'est-ce que' is a common inversion in French to form questions, literally meaning 'is it that'. The combination forms a staple interrogative construction that can be applied to a wide range of inquiries about objects, concepts, or situations. Its usage is deeply ingrained in everyday French conversation and serves as a fundamental building block for asking open-ended questions. The history of this construction can be traced back to Old French, where similar structures involving 'que' and forms of 'être' (to be) were used to pose questions. Over centuries, the phrase has solidified into its current form, maintaining its core function while adapting to phonetic and grammatical shifts in the language. It exemplifies how French often uses multi-word constructions to convey meanings that English might express with a single interrogative word. This also highlights the emphasis on grammatical completeness and clarity in French sentence structure.
Kultureller Kontext
The phrase "Qu'est-ce que" is a fundamental and ubiquitous interrogative construction in French, directly translating to "What is it that..." or simply "What...". It's a very common way to form questions about objects, situations, or concepts. Its usage is deeply embedded in everyday French conversation, making it one of the first phrases learners encounter. It reflects a certain directness in inquiry, yet it's considered grammatically correct and polite in most contexts. Unlike some other languages where a single word might suffice, French often employs these multi-word interrogative structures for clarity and grammatical precision. It's used across all registers of speech, from formal to informal, indicating its essential role in the language.
Merkhilfe
Think of 'Qu'est-ce que' as a fixed phrase meaning 'What is it that...'. The 'que' directly follows the verb, acting as a relative pronoun for the object. Often, it's shortened to 'Qu'est-ce que c'est?' when asking 'What is this/that?'
Häufig gestellte Fragen
4 Fragen"Qu'est-ce que" is a common French interrogative phrase that directly translates to "What is it that?" or simply "What?" It's used to ask questions about objects or things. It's often followed by a subject and a verb to form a complete question, or it can be used on its own in certain contexts.
You use "Qu'est-ce que" to inquire about an object or concept. For example, to ask "What are you eating?" you would say "Qu'est-ce que tu manges?" The structure is generally "Qu'est-ce que" + subject + verb. It's a very versatile phrase for asking 'what' questions in French.
"Qu'est-ce que" is considered standard and appropriate in both formal and informal settings. It's a widely used and grammatically correct way to ask questions in French. There are more informal ways to ask 'what' (like just 'Quoi ?'), but "Qu'est-ce que" is always a safe and clear choice.
The key difference lies in what part of the sentence you're asking about. "Qu'est-ce que" is used when 'what' is the direct object of the verb (e.g., 'What are you eating?'). "Qu'est-ce qui" is used when 'what' is the subject of the verb (e.g., 'What is happening?'). This distinction is crucial for correct French grammar.
Teste dich selbst
___ tu veux manger ce soir? (What do you want to eat tonight?)
___ c'est? (What is it?)
___ vous faites ce week-end? (What are you doing this weekend?)
Ergebnis: /3
Formal vs. Informal
'Qu'est-ce que' is a very common and versatile phrase. While it literally means 'What is it that,' it functions as a direct 'What' when asking about things. It is generally considered grammatically correct and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though in very casual speech, you might hear 'C'est quoi?' (What is it?) or simply 'Quoi?' (What?).
Inversion vs. 'Est-ce que'
In French, you can form questions using inversion (e.g., 'Que voulez-vous?' - What do you want?). However, 'qu'est-ce que' is often preferred because it avoids the sometimes awkward inverted structures, especially with certain verbs. It acts as a simpler, more direct way to ask 'what.'
Usage with verbs and nouns
'Qu'est-ce que' is typically followed by a subject and a verb (e.g., 'Qu'est-ce que tu manges?' - What are you eating?). When you want to ask 'What is it?' about an object, you use 'Qu'est-ce que c'est?' or 'Qu'est-ce que c'est que ça?' for emphasis. Remember, it's always followed by a clause.
Beispiele
3 von 3Qu'est-ce que c'est ?
What is it?
Qu'est-ce que tu fais ?
What are you doing?
Qu'est-ce que vous voulez ?
What do you want?
Verwandte Inhalte
Verwandte Redewendungen
Mehr communication Wörter
À bientôt
A1See you soon
accepter
A2To accept.
accord
A2Harmony or concurrence in opinion or feeling.
accueillir
A2To greet someone in a particular way; to welcome.
actualité
A2Current events or news.
adresser
A2To address, to speak or write to someone.
affabulation
B2A fabricated story or statement, often fanciful or exaggerated.
affirmation
B2The action or process of affirming something; a statement of truth.
affirmer
B1To state or assert positively.
allô
A1Hello (on the phone); used to answer a call or start a phone conversation.
