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You already know that Que or Qu'est-ce que at the start of a question is used to ask what something is (See Qu'est-ce que c'est... and Qu'est-ce que c'est que ça/cela ? = What is... / What's that? in French, C'est quoi, Qu'est-ce que c'est ? = What's that? (French Questions)).
Learn how to ask questions with which/what in French
Look at these questions:
Note that the question adjective quel also means "What/Who?" (and "Which?") in French.
So when to use quel instead of que/quoi/qui ?
Whereas que/quoi/qui will be used to define something, to ask what they are, quel is used in the context of a choice, an alternative: what is that, relative to other elements?
Note also that Quel is an adjective, so it always relates to a noun (thing/person). Therefore, it will be used when the question "What/Who" is really "What/Which [thing/person]...?" or "What is" or "Who is ?":
-> Here the adjective quelle goes with adresse (What address?)
-> Here the adjective quel goes with acteur (Which actor?)
-> Here the adjective quel goes with parfum (Which flavour?)
-> Here the adjective quelle goes with personne (Which person?)
ATTENTION:
Quel is an adjective, so it agrees in number and gender with the thing/person it is used with ("quel", "quels", "quelle", or "quelles").
Case of lequel, laquelle, lesquels, lesquelles
These are pronouns, which means they're replacing pre-mentioned nouns (i.e. "Which one(s) ...?).
Therefore, they'll be used when the thing they refer to has already been mentioned, to emphasise the question:
Note that the noun is not mentioned in the question, as lequel, laquelle... already expresses it: it would be redundant!
See also Quel/quelle/quels/quelles + [nom] = What a [noun] (French Exclamative Adjectives)
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Learn more about these related French grammar topics
Examples and resources
- Lesquelles ?Put your shoes on!
- Which ones?
- Oui, mais lesquels sont tes préférés ?I love sweets!
- Yes, but which ones are your favourite?
