Qu’est-ce
The French phrase “Qu’est-ce” is a contraction of “Que est-ce,” which translates to “What is” in English.
- Qu’est-ce que c’est ? What is it?
- Qu’est-ce que tu fais ? What are you doing?
- Qu’est-ce qui se passe ? What is happening?
- Qu’est-ce qu’il y a ? What’s the matter?
How to form questions with Qu’est-ce
- Qu’est-ce que: Followed by a subject and verb.
- Qu’est-ce qui: Followed by a verb.
marcher
| Meaning | Example |
|---|---|
| To walk | Je marche tous les jours pour rester en forme. I walk every day to stay in shape. Elle marche lentement dans le parc. She walks slowly in the park. |
| To work, to function (for machines or systems) | Cette vieille télévision ne marche plus. This old television doesn’t work anymore. Le nouveau logiciel marche très bien. The new software works very well. |
| To be successful, to sell well | Son dernier livre marche très bien. His latest book is selling very well. Cette idée ne marchera jamais. This idea will never work. |
| To agree to something to go along with | Je marche dans votre plan. I’m going along with your plan. Il ne marchera pas dans cette combine. He won’t fall for this scheme. |
| It’s okay, understood (Idiomatic expression) | On se retrouve à 18h devant le cinéma ? - Ça marche ! We’ll meet at 6 PM in front of the cinema? - That works! Tu dois finir ce projet avant demain. - Ça marche. You need to finish this project by tomorrow. - Got it. Deux cafés s’il vous plaît. - Ça marche ! Two coffees please. - Coming up! |
savoir vs. connaître
Both “savoir” and “connaître” are irregular verbs and have different conjugations. “Savoir” is generally used for factual knowledge and abilities, while “connaître” is used for familiarity with people, places, or things1 2.
| Aspect | Savoir | Connaître |
|---|---|---|
| Basic meaning | To know (facts, information, how to do something) | To know (be familiar with people, places, things) |
| Usage | Followed by a verb, que clause, or interrogative word | Followed by a noun |
| Examples | Je sais nager. (I know how to swim.) Nous savons qu’il pleut. (We know that it’s raining.) | Je connais Paris. (I know Paris.) Elle connaît mon frère. (She knows my brother.) |
| With interrogatives | Tu sais où est la gare ? (Do you know where the station is?) | Not used with interrogatives |
| Expressing skills | Ils savent parler français. (They know how to speak French.) | Not used for skills |
| Familiarity | Not used for familiarity | Vous connaissez ce restaurant ? (Do you know this restaurant?) |
| Past tense meaning | Found out, learned | Met (for the first time) |
| Idiomatic expressions | Je ne sais quoi (I don’t know what) Savoir-vivre (Good manners) | Connaître comme sa poche (To know like the back of one’s hand) |
Vocabulaire
| mots | explications |
|---|---|
| envoyer | to send |
| le repas | meal - le repas de midi lunch - le repas du soir dinner - à l’heure des repas at mealtimes |
| payer | to pay for, to pay - payer vos courses pay (for) your shopping |
| la course | running, race, shopping - faire les courses to go shopping - la course de fond long-distance running |
| le fond | bottom, end - Les toilettes sont au fond du couloir. The toilets are at the end of the corridor. |
| écouter | to listen to - J’aime écouter de la musique. I like listening to music. |
| regarder | to look at, to watch |
| même | same, even - moi-même myself - même si even if |
| essayer | to try, to try on |
| malheureusement | unfortunately |
| code secret | secret code, passcode, password, PIN - Seul le code secret est demandé pour confirmer l’achat. Only the secret code is requested to confirm the purchase. |