que
Voici le livre que j'ai acheté.
Here is the book that I bought.
Relative pronoun introducing a subordinate clause, referring to a previously mentioned noun.
L'homme que tu as vu est mon frère.
The man that you saw is my brother.
Used for both people and things. Cannot be omitted in French.
Conjunction introducing a subordinate clause expressing a fact, opinion, or question.
Je pense que tu as raison.
I think that you are right.
Often omitted in English but required in French.
Introduces a subordinate clause expressing a purpose or result.
Il travaille dur qu'il réussisse.
He works hard so that he may succeed.
Used with subjunctive mood.
Adverb expressing only, just, or nothing but.
Il ne fait que pleuvoir.
It's only raining.
Often used with 'ne' in negative constructions.
Interrogative pronoun meaning 'what' or 'which'.
Qu'est-ce que tu fais ?
What are you doing?
Used in questions to ask for information.
Collocations
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Mastering 'que' in Questions
In questions, 'que' is often used with 'est-ce que' to form questions. Remember that 'que' can stand alone in informal speech: 'Quoi ?' (What?).
Gold Rule
Relative Pronoun Rule
Use 'que' as a relative pronoun when the antecedent is the direct object of the subordinate clause. Example: 'Le livre que j'ai lu' (The book that I read).
Conjunction Rule
Use 'que' as a conjunction to introduce a subordinate clause expressing a fact, opinion, or question. Example: 'Je crois que tu as tort' (I think that you are wrong).
Adverb Rule
Use 'que' as an adverb to mean 'only' or 'just'. It often appears with 'ne' in negative constructions: 'Il ne fait que pleuvoir' (It's only raining).
Word Origin
From Old French 'que', from Latin 'quod' (neuter accusative of 'qui' meaning 'which, what'). Related to 'qui' and 'quoi'.
Usage Notes
The word 'que' is one of the most versatile in French, serving as a relative pronoun, conjunction, adverb, and interrogative pronoun. Its meaning depends heavily on context and the structure of the sentence. Learners often struggle with its multiple roles.