How to ask what?

Cameron T.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

How to ask what?

I was taught that to ask 'what' when you didn't understand what was just said, you would say, 'comment?' Is this correct or should I say 'quoi?' instead?
Asked 7 years ago
AurélieNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer
Bonjour Cameron !

This is indeed considered as more polite to use "Comment ?" rather than the blunter "Quoi ?" when asking "what?" in French.
However, this only applies to asking "What?", and in any other more developed questions, "comment" reverts to its actual meaning of "how".

I hope it's helpful!
À bientôt !
Ann H.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor
I've been told both work.
Cameron T. asked:

How to ask what?

I was taught that to ask 'what' when you didn't understand what was just said, you would say, 'comment?' Is this correct or should I say 'quoi?' instead?

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