Questions: Que ... = What ... ?

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:

Forming inverted questions in Le Présent with il, elle, on

Forming inverted questions in Le Présent (except il, elle, on forms)

Asking yes/no questions with intonation, est-ce que, n'est-ce pas 

Questions with qui, que, quoi, quand, où, comment, pourquoi, combien