"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 is a bit elitist actually, or outdated or both.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...
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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.)
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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
