Could anyone tell me what this French phrase means in English?
"À quoi sert-il?"
2007-04-30 15:18:15 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
"À quoi sert-il?" : "What's it for?"
2007-04-30 15:23:56 · answer #1 · answered by Erik Van Thienen 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Go with the first answer...please. The word is "sert" (not "sort" as someone else suggested) which is the third person singular of the verb "servir" (to serve) in the present.
"Ã quoi sert-il?" is an idiomatic expression and means exactly what the first poster answered. With idiomatic expressions it's not always a good idea to translate word for word!
2007-04-30 22:36:35 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
If asked about a boy or a man ("il"), it means "What's he good for?"
If asked about a masculine item or object ("il"), like a tool or something, it means "What's it good for?" or "What's it (used) for?".
The expression "Ã quoi sert-il" can be followed by "de+verb"
"...de crier/de pleurer/faire l'imbécile" and means "What's the point of...(shouting/crying/acting like a jerk)?"
2007-04-30 22:33:43 · answer #3 · answered by Guy P. 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You know very well what it means: What the hell is it good for? Forget him and move on with your life.
2007-04-30 22:30:10 · answer #4 · answered by obelix 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I may be wrong but if instead of an sert is a sort. means Why did he go out?
2007-04-30 22:24:10 · answer #5 · answered by mugs0118 1 · 0⤊ 6⤋
What is it used for?
Like other people said...
2007-04-30 22:48:47 · answer #6 · answered by eelj 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
that depends on what you speaks: of a person or an object?
2007-04-30 22:40:36 · answer #7 · answered by Joh75 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
translation-what is it used for?
2007-05-01 01:35:18 · answer #8 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To what does it serve
2007-04-30 22:28:12 · answer #9 · answered by brittlynn 3 · 0⤊ 4⤋
It is been along time when I used my french but isn't that with whom did he leave..I think..it has been along
2007-04-30 22:24:04 · answer #10 · answered by Deb 2 · 0⤊ 6⤋