A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "What does that mean" in French
Ask for clarification when you don't understand a word or phrase in French.
Qu'est-ce que ça veut dire ?
kes-kes-suh-vuh-DEERneutral
French TTS · 0:01
Use this when someone says something you don't understand, whether it's a new word, a slang expression, or a complex sentence. It's a polite way to ask for a definition or an explanation.
Alternatives
- Ça veut dire quoi ?Slightly more casual, good for friends or informal settings.
- Qu'est-ce que c'est ?Use this to ask 'what is it?' rather than 'what does it mean?'
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing 'est-ce'
The 't' in 'est-ce' is pronounced, linking the two words together.
Silent 't' in 'veut'
The 't' at the end of 'veut' is silent, so it sounds like 'vuh'.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
What's the difference between Qu'est-ce que ça veut dire and Ça veut dire quoi?
Both mean 'What does that mean?' 'Qu'est-ce que ça veut dire ?' is more standard and neutral, while 'Ça veut dire quoi ?' is a bit more informal.
Can I use this with strangers?
Yes, this is a perfectly polite way to ask for clarification from anyone you don't know well. It shows you're engaged and want to understand.
How to ask what a specific word means?
You can say 'Qu'est-ce que [word] veut dire ?' For example, 'Qu'est-ce que 'boulot' veut dire ?' (What does 'boulot' mean?).
