Look at these more formal questions:
To ask a question starting with what, the more formal way is to use que followed by the inverted form of the statement (verb first).
Note that que becomes qu' when followed by a vowel.
ATTENTION:
The main difference with qu'est-ce que is that this alternative form is never followed by the inverted form when using subject pronouns:
Compare this lesson with other ways to make questions:
Inverted questions in the present tense (Le Présent) in French - il/elle/on forms
Asking yes/no questions in French with intonation, est-ce que, n'est-ce pas (French Questions)
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