What does est-ce que in French mean?

What is the meaning of the word est-ce que in French? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use est-ce que in French.

The word est-ce que in French means do, does, Is there any point in doing ?, What is it?, That's lovely!, What is this?, Where are your manners?, How's it going?, How's it looking?, How's it coming along?, It's tipping down!, It's bucketing down!, It's pouring down!, It's chucking it down!, What can I get you?, What's up with you?, What are you doing?, What do you think?, What would you know about it?, What are you doing?, What are you up to?, Have you been doing anything interesting?, What are you talking about?, Why are you telling me?, what do you think of that?, Who ...?. To learn more, please see the details below.

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Meaning of the word est-ce que

do, does

(introduction d'une question)

(auxiliary verb: Helping verb--for example, "She is running." "It has been lost.")

Est-ce que tu aimes le chocolat ? Est-ce que la nouvelle copine de Pierre est jolie ?

Is Peter's new girlfriend pretty?

Is there any point in doing ?

(cela a-t-il du sens)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Est-ce que ça rime à quelque chose de se disputer ainsi ?

What is it?

(Quel est le propos ?)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")

On frappe à la porte. « Qu'est-ce que c'est ? »

That's lovely!

interjection (Comme c'est joli !)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")

Qu'est-ce que c'est beau ! Tu as fait cela toi-même ?

What is this?

(Qu'est-ce donc ?)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Qu'est-ce que c'est que ça, dans la vitrine ?

Where are your manners?

(Non mais dis donc !)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

On ne met pas les pieds sur la table. Qu'est-ce que c'est que ces manières !

How's it going?, How's it looking?, How's it coming along?

(Comment se présentent les choses ?) (informal)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

It's tipping down!, It's bucketing down!, It's pouring down!, It's chucking it down!

(Il pleut fort !) (rain: informal)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

What can I get you?

(Que voulez-vous commander ?)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Qu'est-ce que je vous sers ? nous demanda le barman.

What's up with you?

(Tu sembles avoir un problème) (informal)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")

What are you doing?

(Peux-tu me donner des nouvelles ?)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")

Il y a un moment que je ne t'ai vu. Qu'est-ce que tu deviens ?

What do you think?

(Quel es ton avis ?)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")

What would you know about it?

(je doute que tu saches)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")

- Tu verras, ta sœur se mariera avec Paul. - Qu'est-ce que tu en sais ?

What are you doing?

(Pourquoi fais-tu cela ?)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Qu'est-ce que tu fais ? Je t'ai dit de ranger ta chambre.

What are you up to?

(Qu'est-tu en train de faire ?) (informal)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

En rentrant dans ma chambre, ma mère m'a demandé : « Alors, qu'est-ce que tu fais de beau ? ». Et toi, tu fais quoi de beau à Paris ?

Have you been doing anything interesting?

(Que deviens-tu ?)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Ça fait longtemps que je ne t'ai pas vu. Qu'est-ce que tu fais de beau maintenant ?

What are you talking about?

(Es-tu sûr de ce que tu dis ?)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")

Why are you telling me?

(familier (je m'en fiche)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Théo a fini premier de sa promotion ? C'est bien mais qu'est-ce que tu veux que ça me fasse ?

what do you think of that?

(Qu'en pensez-vous ?)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")

Il l'a fait tout seul, qu'est-ce que vous dites de ça ?

Who ...?

(formule interrogative, qui)

(pronoun: Replaces noun--for example, "He took the cookie and ate it." "I saw you yesterday.")

Qui est-ce que tu as vu ?

Who was it you saw (or: that you saw)?

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