What does quel in French mean?

What is the meaning of the word quel in French? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use quel in French.

The word quel in French means which, what a + [countable], what a + [countable], how much, at what price?, at what cost?, at what price?, at what cost?, Under whose name? Under which name?, what's it about?, What a shame!, any, have lost your bearings, not know where to turn, not know who to turn to, not know where you stand, be at your wits' end, What's the date?, What's the date today?, What day is it?, What day is it today?, by any way at all, by any means at all, by all available means, How old are you?, How old are you?, What a mess!, What brings you here?, What brings you here?, What a cheek!, The nerve of it!, What is...?, What is your name?, What an idiot I am!, I'm such an idiot!, What day is it?, whatever, What's the weather like?, as it is, You'll see what I'm made of!. To learn more, please see the details below.

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Meaning of the word quel

which

adjectif (questionne sur [qch]) (between defined options)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Quel est ton plat préféré ? Quelle voiture vas-tu acheter ?
What is your favourite meal?

what a + [countable]

adjectif (marque l'admiration) (singular)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")
Quelle belle voiture !
ⓘCette phrase n'est pas une traduction de la phrase originale. What lovely children!

what a + [countable]

adjectif (marque l'indignation) (singular)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")
Quel horrible personnage ! Quel temps de chien !
What awful weather!

how much

locution adverbiale (combien)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

at what price?, at what cost?

locution adverbiale (pour combien d'argent ?)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

at what price?, at what cost?

locution adverbiale (figuré (en échange de quels sacrifices ?) (figurative)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Under whose name? Under which name?

(familier (À quel nom est la réservation ?)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

what's it about?

(À propos de quoi est-ce ?)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Vous voulez me voir ? C'est à quel sujet ?

What a shame!

(C'est du gâchis !)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")
Vous ne pourrez pas venir à ma soirée ? Quel dommage !
You can't come to my do? What a shame!

any

(tout)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
N'importe quel joueur a pu donner ce coup dans la mêlée.
Any player could have landed that blow in the scrum.

have lost your bearings

locution verbale (figuré (être déboussolé) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Avec toutes ces offres, on ne sait pas à quel saint se vouer.

not know where to turn, not know who to turn to

locution verbale (figuré (ne pas savoir à qui s'adresser)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Myriam ne sait pas à quel saint se vouer pour résoudre son problème.

not know where you stand

locution verbale (être déboussolé)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

be at your wits' end

locution verbale (être déboussolé)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

What's the date?, What's the date today?

(familier (Quel est le jour du mois ?)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Aujourd'hui, on est quel jour ? Le 15 ou le 17 ?

What day is it?, What day is it today?

(familier (Quel jour de la semaine sommes-nous ?)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
On est quel jour ? Mercredi ou jeudi ?

by any way at all, by any means at all, by all available means

locution adverbiale (à tout prix)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Je le connais, il arrivera à ses fins par n'importe quel moyen.

How old are you?

(expression pour demander l'âge)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Tu m'as l'air bien jeune pour conduire, quel âge as-tu ?

How old are you?

(figuré (c'est irresponsable !) (figurative)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Sortir tout nu dans la rue ? Mais quel âge as-tu ?

What a mess!

(Ce n'est pas du tout organisé !)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Cette exposition : quel bazar !

What brings you here?

(Quelle est la raison de ta visite ?)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

What brings you here?

(Quelle est la raison de votre visite ?)

What a cheek!, The nerve of it!

interjection (C'est gonflé !) (colloquial)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")

What is...?

(formule d'interrogation)

Quel est le chemin le plus court pour aller à la gare, s'il vous plaît ? Quelle est ta couleur préférée ?

What is your name?

(formule de demande de nom)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Je ne me rappelle plus de vous, quel est votre nom ?

What an idiot I am!, I'm such an idiot!

(familier (Que je suis bête !)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Quel idiot je fais !

What day is it?

(question pour la date du jour) (day of the week)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Quel jour sommes-nous ? demanda le professeur

whatever

(pour tout, peu importe)

(pronoun: Replaces noun--for example, "He took the cookie and ate it." "I saw you yesterday.")
Quel que soit le jour, je serai disponible.

What's the weather like?

(météo : demande du temps)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

as it is

(en l'état)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Laisser la préparation reposer deux heures telle quelle avant la cuisson. Moi, tu sais, je t'aime tel quel.

You'll see what I'm made of!

(familier (Je ne vais pas te le pardonner) (informal)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Tu vas voir de quel bois je me chauffe ! Garnement !

Let's learn French

So now that you know more about the meaning of quel in French, you can learn how to use them through selected examples and how to read them. And remember to learn the related words that we suggest. Our website is constantly updating with new words and new examples so you can look up the meanings of other words you don't know in French.

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