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- "Qu'est-ce?"
"Qu'est-ce?"
Translation:What is it?
27 Comments
I thought that "Qu'est-ce" was just the beginning of some questions and that to say "What is it?" you would say "Qu'est-ce que c'est?"
"Qu'est-ce ?" is a bit elitist actually, or outdated or both. This form is perfectly correct but not much used, particularly in oral.
If this is not much used, would one instead say "Qu'est-ce que c'est", as chilenaDcorazon2 mentioned?
That's interesting, that the short version ("Qu'est-ce?") is more old-fashioned/formal than the long version ("Qu'est-ce que c'est?")! Thanks for letting us know.
I take it "Qu'est-ce que c'est?" is pronounced something like "kess keh seh?" Unless it's used later in the course, perhaps Duolingo should be updated...
1358
As Sitesurf mentioned above, however much it might have been used previously, it's not used much now.
Unless you are striving for a special effect in your writing and/or speech it's best to avoid it. However, if you do see or hear it, now you know what it means.
When I listened to the audio, it just sounded like "quesss' How do you say it?
In informal oral language, people tend to blend syllables. (IE "Wassat?" in English.)
- 1358
In English, people pronounce ..should have... as ..should of. This has become so commonplace that some think it actually is should of and so they write it that way.
Upvoted, because I have the same question. Like, someone says, "Oh this is cute," and you answer "What is?"
your suggestion does not work:
"Oh! this is cute!" - "What is?" = "Oh ! c'est mignon !" - "qu'est-ce qui l'est ?" (or full question: qu'est-ce qui est mignon ?) - or relaxed: "quoi est mignon ?"
Ok, I see it does not translate as exactly as I thought. Thanks; excellent explanation
