French language Q&A Forum

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!

Would be more useful is we could see what gender were countries starting with a vowel. 

In paragraph two of the transcript this sentence: 'Matisse rompt avec les règles...' is translated in the pop-up as 'Matisse broke the rules..' I assume this is a fixed construction? Is that exactly what it means or does it mean (as the French indicates with 'avec) that he broke with the accepted rules of the day. In English 'broke the rules' and 'broke with the rules' are not identical. I'm trying to find out if this is the case in French as well. Thanks.

I'm not sure this is directly relevant to this topic but I can't think of a better place to ask the question!

The answer to a question relating to this lesson is "Je vais me faufiler sans qu'il s'en aperçoive." What is the function of "en" in the sentence (and the rule pertaining to its use)? I assume it intends to refer back to the previously mentioned sneaking, but I can't figure out the rule. I know that "en" can be used to refer to previously mentioned phrases starting with "de", but that doesn't seem to fit here.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

This is a bit subtle, and perhaps it is more advanced than an A1 level test.

I notice in the summary of the text that Président has been capitalised. "Le Président visite un musée"

I believe this is incorrect and that this should not be capitalised in French:

le président français. = the French president.

Le président de la République française = The President of the French Republic.

Although if you were speaking to the President of France in direct address , you would address them as: "Monsieur le Président/Madame la Présidente (de la Republique).

Suggestions please, for the best way to find the vocabulary given at the start of each writing exercise and dictée. I use the WordReference app and the unabridged Collins Robert dictionary, but frequently find that phrases in particular are difficult or impossible to find, which makes the vocab list unhelpful. Thanks.