🇫🇷 How to say

“what” in French

quoi
Illustration of "what" in a French cultural setting
A person pauses mid-conversation, looking confused as they point at an unfamiliar object on a café table, asking for clarification.

Usage note

Use 'quoi' informally in questions to mean 'what'—it's common in everyday speech but avoid in very formal situations.

Examples

  • C'est quoi ?

    What is this?

  • Tu fais quoi ?

    What are you doing?

  • Quoi de neuf ?

    What's new?

Quick check

What does "quoi" mean?

  • A. what
  • B. when
  • C. tomorrow
  • D. how

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