Qu'est-ce que c'est... and Qu'est-ce que c'est que ça/cela ? = What is... / What's that? in French
There are several ways to ask something to be explained with What is it/this/that? in French.
Learn how to ask What is it/this/that? in French
1. What is it ?
Literally "what is it that it is?", it is pronounced [kess kuh say].
2. What is this/that ?
Here are equally valid ways of asking that question:
Note that ça is the shortened form of cela.
Cela is quite formal, so you'll hear ça used much more frequently.
You wouldn't say Qu'est-ce que ça ?
ATTENTION:
3. What is [thing]?
C'est quoi [chose] ? or Qu'est-ce que c'est [chose] ?These are not the most elegant questions, but probably the most commonly used.
Qu'est-ce que c'est que + [chose] :
Note: que appears three times in this construction!
Remember to contract que into qu' if followed with a vowel or silent h.
Qu'est-ce que + [chose] :
Once again, if you want to ask what something is by name, simply replace cela with the name of the thing.
Remember to contract que into qu' if followed with a vowel or silent h.
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