French grammar - What - quoi |
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We have seen that the indefinite relative pronoun ce dont references the object of a verb that takes the preposition de. When a verb takes a preposition other than de then quoi is used as the indefinite relative pronoun. -- Used in this way the verb's preposition is placed before quoi. Having said that, colloquially quoi can simply mean 'what'. |
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Je sais ce à quoi tu penses.
I know what you (familiar) are thinking.
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À quoi penses-tu ?
What are you (familiar) thinking about?
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Nous ne savons jamais à quoi il pense.
We never know what he is thinking.
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Maintenant, vous savez dans quoi j'étais coincé.
Now you (formal) know what I was stuck in.
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J'ai trouvé avec quoi laver le chien.
I found something to wash the dog with.
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Avec quoi écrit-il ?
What does he write with?
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Ce à quoi je m'attends - votre invitation.
That is what I am expecting - your (formal) invitation.
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Je me demandais derrière quoi il se cachait.
I was wondering what he was hiding behind.
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Il n'y a pas de quoi.
You are welcome. *OR* There is nothing (to mention).
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Pas de quoi.
Welcome.
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Quoi ?
What?
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Pourquoi ?
Why?
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Tu fais quoi ce weekend ?
What are you (familiar) doing this weekend?
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Quoi de neuf ?
What's new? |
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