Quelle or qu’elle? in French

French Grammar tips with Frantastique.
Learn French online and test Frantastique for free.

TEST YOUR FRENCH
Free with no obligation to buy.

Quelle or qu’elle?

Quelle (or quelles in the plural) is an interrogative adjective (which? which ones?) or exclamation. It agrees in gender and number with the noun it describes (quel, quelle, quels, quelles).

Quel parfum de glace vous voulez ? ♂ Which ice cream flavor would you like?
Quelle est la solution? ♀ What’s the solution?
Quels livres tu préfères ? ♂♂ Which books do you prefer?
Quelles personnes sympathiques !♀♀ What nice people!

Note that qu’elle (or qu’elles in the plural) is a contraction of que and elle(s) . The structure is used for exclamations (Qu’elle + verb...!), or to link two phrases. Example: Je te dis qu’elle… (I’m telling you that she...)

Qu’elle est belle ta robe ! How pretty your dress is!/What a pretty dress!
Je me rappelle ce qu’elles m’ont dit. I remember what they told me.

Top tip: To be sure that the contraction is necessary, and not the adjective, make the sentence masculine by using qu’il(s).

Qu’elle est belle, ta robe ! → Qu’il est beau, ton pantalon ! (Masculine form is possible, so qu’elle is correct.)
Quelle belle robe ! → ~~Qu’il beau~~ pantalon ! (Incorrect. The adjective quelle is needed here.)

Learn more about French grammar with us. Still having difficulties with 'Quelle or qu’elle?'? Want to improve your French? Test our online French lessons and receive a free level assessment!

TRY FOR FREE

What our users say:

Pleasure

Victor (Cologne, Germany)

I enjoy doing my online French lessons. Only ten minutes daily are enough...Thank you!

Innovative

Marie (Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

I love your innovative method which allows me to learn a new language and have fun at the same time!

Unique

Georges (San Francisco, USA)

Your method is unique! Your courses have helped me to progress and gain confidence during my travels.

Progress

Maya (Paris, France)

Gymglish has allowed me to improve my French. A daily routine I wouldn't miss for anything in the world!

More testimonials.

Looking to improve French for beginners? Frantastique provides effective and fun training!

Tips for learning 'Quelle or qu’elle?'? Share them with us!