Bonjour. why it is not 'qui' here? merci

Liyunzi C.A2Kwiziq community member

Bonjour. why it is not 'qui' here? merci

Son nom lui venait de sa peau diaphane 'que' complimentaient des lèvres rouges comme le sang...


Asked 2 years ago
Maarten K.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

I think you are asking about the inversion here : “complimentaient des lèvres rouges … ” rather than “que des lèvres rouges …. complimentaient” ? This is a formal and literary style choice, commonly used in writing.  (See Stylistic choice - after relative pronouns ) 

https://www.lawlessfrench.com/grammar/inversion-with-nouns/

Jim J.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Hi Liyunzi,

"Son nom lui venait de sa peau diaphane 'que' complimentaient des lèvres rouges comme le sang."

Conjunction "que" is "that" in English referring to "peau" the object. "qui" would not be appropriate in this case which would refer to the subject (Son nom), not the object "peau".

Hope this helps.

Bonne continuation

Jim

Bonjour. why it is not 'qui' here? merci

Son nom lui venait de sa peau diaphane 'que' complimentaient des lèvres rouges comme le sang...


Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Getting that for you now...