French language Q&A Forum

The question was:

I'll appreciate your help, thanks.

OK, let me see if I have this straight:

"Qui" means "who" ( a subject).

"Que" means "what" (an object).

"Qui est-ce que" means "whom" (an object).

"Qu'est-ce qui" means "what" (a subject).

Even if I have it right (and I'm not at all sure about that), it's totally confusing.  If "qui" means "who," why is it in a phrase that means "what"?

Thanks for any clarification!

If a bag (sac) is described as heavy wouldn't it be lourd not lourde as sac is masculine?

This is the original sentence. Il pourra bientôt parler russe

But are the following two also correct?

Il pourra parler russe bientôt

Il pourra parler bientôt russe

Exactly! On means we, one, people. It does not mean you. So, if one did not check tu as a correct answer, then one should not have been marked wrong. On y va means let us go. It does not necessarily signify let's me and you go, even though on may include you. I think tu should not be included as a correct answer. Ok?

When referring to a single person of unknown gender, is it correct to use le/la leur, or is that a situation where theirs should be translated as le sien/la sienne?

E.g Would "Someone has forgotten their wallet.  Don't take it!  It's theirs." translate to "Quelqu'un a oublié leur portefeuille.  Ne le prends pas!  C'est le leur."  ou "Quelqu'un a oublié son portefeuille.  Ne le prends pas!  C'est le sien." 

In the sentence: À qui sont ces balles ? ________ les miennes. Why can't I say 'ce sont les miennes'?