How to ask what?

Cameron T.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

How to ask what?

I was taught that to ask 'what' when you didn't understand what was just said, you would say, 'comment?' Is this correct or should I say 'quoi?' instead?

This question relates to:French lesson "C'est quoi, Qu'est-ce que c'est ? = What's that? (French Questions)"

Asked 7 years ago

Like0Answer2

AurélieNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Bonjour Cameron !

This is indeed considered as more polite to use "Comment ?" rather than the blunter "Quoi ?" when asking "what?" in French.
However, this only applies to asking "What?", and in any other more developed questions, "comment" reverts to its actual meaning of "how".

I hope it's helpful!
À bientôt !

Like17 years ago

Ann H.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

I've been told both work.

Like06 years ago

Cameron T. asked:View original

How to ask what?

I was taught that to ask 'what' when you didn't understand what was just said, you would say, 'comment?' Is this correct or should I say 'quoi?' instead?

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