French Conversation · Level 5
90 words
French word
qui
Pronunciation
IPA/ki/
Meaning
- pronounwho
Example
Qui est là ?
Who is there?
More examples
À qui as-tu envoyé ce message ?
Who did you send this message to?
Core concept
A person or thing marked as the subject, either sought in a question or linked to a following clause.
Common phrases
à qui
to whom
de qui
whose
Similar words
que: A question word used to ask what is being acted on.
lequel: A question word used to ask which one among several is meant.
quoi: A question word used to ask what something is.
quelqu'un: A pronoun referring to one unspecified person.
Definition in French
Identifie la personne ou la chose responsable d'une action, employé pour poser la question 'qui?' ou pour remplacer le sujet dans une proposition relative.
Word origin
French qui continues Old French qui, from Latin quī, with the form ultimately related to the Indo-European interrogative stem *kwo-.
Usage tips
- In a relative clause, qui marks the subject, whereas que marks the direct object; qui refers to people or things.
Other meanings
- whichpronoun