Latest / Learn French with Fexingo / French Asking for What Something Is
Transcript
- Lucas: Hey Luna, welcome back to the show! Ready to learn some French? Luna: So ready. Last time we learned how to ask what something is with 'Qu'est-ce que c'est?' That was so useful. Lucas: Totally. And today we're going to build on that. We'll add a few more ways to ask and answer, so you can sound even more natural. Luna: Oh, I love that. Let's do it. Lucas: Alright, first phrase. When you point at something and want to know what it is casually, you can say 'C'est quoi, ça?' It means 'What's that?' Luna: C'est quoi, ça? Lucas: Perfect. Notice the comma and the 'ça' at the end. It's like saying 'What is that, that thing?' Very common in everyday speech. Luna: So if I see something cool on the table, I just go 'C'est quoi, ça?' Lucas: Exactly. And now, a more formal version: 'Qu'est-ce que c'est que ça?' It's a bit longer but very polite. Luna: Qu'est-ce que c'est que ça? Wow, that's a mouthful. Lucas: It is, but it's actually just a longer way to ask the same thing. Let's break it down slowly. Qu'est-ce que c'est... que ça? Luna: Qu'est-ce que c'est... que ça? Lucas: There you go. You'll hear this in shops or when you're being extra polite. Luna: Got it. So I have the casual and the formal. Now I need some answers. Lucas: Right. Let's practice with a few things. If someone asks 'C'est quoi, ça?', you can answer with 'C'est un stylo.' That means 'It's a pen.' Luna: C'est un stylo. Lucas: Nice. And if it's feminine, like a bottle, you say 'C'est une bouteille.' Luna: C'est une bouteille. So 'un' for masculine, 'une' for feminine. Like we've seen before. Lucas: Exactly. You're catching on. Now, what about your phone? 'C'est un téléphone.' Luna: C'est un téléphone. That's easy. Lucas: See? You're already building sentences. Luna: This is so helpful. I mean, if we're learning all these questions, it makes me want to keep going. Lucas: And if Fexingo has been helping you make actual progress with this language, you know what keeps these episodes coming? Listener support. If today was useful to you, you can say thanks by buying us a coffee at buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo. That helps us stay ad-free. Luna: Yeah, totally. It's like a little tip jar for the show. We really appreciate it. Lucas: Now, back to our phrases. Let's do a quick scene. Imagine you're at a friend's place and you see a strange object. You ask 'C'est quoi, ça?' Luna: C'est quoi, ça? Lucas: And your friend says 'C'est un téléphone.' Luna: Oh, it's a phone. But it looks so old. Lucas: Maybe it's a vintage one. Now, let's try the formal version in another scene. You're at a museum, you point to a painting and ask 'Qu'est-ce que c'est que ça?' Luna: Qu'est-ce que c'est que ça? Lucas: And the guide answers 'C'est une bouteille.' It's a painting of a bottle. Luna: So even in a museum, I can use these phrases. That's awesome. Lucas: Absolutely. Now let's do a round where we mix them up. I'll point to something, and you ask what it is. Luna: Okay, I'm ready. Lucas: Alright, I'm holding something. What do you ask? Luna: C'est quoi, ça? Lucas: And I say 'C'est un stylo.' Now another one. Something on the table. Luna: Qu'est-ce que c'est que ça? Lucas: C'est une bouteille. Perfect. You're using both naturally. Luna: This is great. I feel like I can actually go around and ask about things I see. Lucas: And remember, you can always use 'C'est un...' or 'C'est une...' to answer. Simple. Luna: So if someone asks me, I can just say 'C'est un téléphone' or 'C'est une bouteille'. Lucas: Exactly. And now, let's do a quick review. I'll say the phrase, you repeat after me. 'C'est quoi, ça?' Luna: C'est quoi, ça? Lucas: 'Qu'est-ce que c'est que ça?' Luna: Qu'est-ce que c'est que ça? Lucas: C'est un stylo. Luna: C'est un stylo. Lucas: C'est une bouteille. Luna: C'est une bouteille. Lucas: C'est un téléphone. Luna: C'est un téléphone. Lucas: You're doing fantastic. Remember, practice makes perfect. Try using these with things around you today. Luna: For sure. I'm going to ask my roommate 'C'est quoi, ça?' about everything. Lucas: That's the spirit. And that's all for today's episode. Thanks for listening, and we'll see you next time! Luna: Bye bye!