What is the difference between est-ce qu' and Qu'est- ce qu' in a question?

[Erin0603]

I am confused so if anyone out there can help me with some examples, that would be great! Merci!

[Kangourex]

Est-ce qu' => A question starting by "Do"

Do you want to play with me ? Est-ce que tu veux jouer avec moi ?

Qu'est ce qu' => A question starting by "What"

What are you cooking ? => Qu'est-ce que tu cuisines ?

[DonFiore]

Literally
est-ce que = is it that (you want to play?)
qu'est-ce que = what is it that (you want to play?)

[MarcD50]

Yes, I think the literal translation makes it clear. No rule to memorise if you understand the literal meaning.

[n6zs]

You can turn any standard statement into a question by putting "est-ce que" in front of it.

• Tu manges de la viande = you are eating meat (or) you eat meat
• Est-ce que tu manges de la viande = are you eating meat? (or) do you eat meat?

Placing an interrogative word before "est-ce que" changes the form of the question.

• tu manges = you are eating
• qu'est-ce que tu manges = what are you eating

Note that there is generally no literal translation of "est-ce que" at all. So be careful when someone tells you "est-ce que" means "do". That is not correct. Open this link in a browser for more information. https://www.thoughtco.com/est-ce-que-vocabulary-1371209