quel (exclamatif)
What a... with Quel
Use quel (and its variations) before a noun to express surprise, admiration, or disappointment. It translates to 'What a...' or 'What...' in English.
How It Works
The exclamative quel is used to highlight a specific quality of a noun to express a strong feeling. It is very common in both spoken and written French.
1. Agreement Rules
Because it is a determiner, it must match the noun it precedes:
- Quel (Masculine Singular): Quel film ! (What a movie!)
- Quelle (Feminine Singular): Quelle surprise ! (What a surprise!)
- Quels (Masculine Plural): Quels beaux jardins ! (What beautiful gardens!)
- Quelles (Feminine Plural): Quelles histoires ! (What stories!)
2. Word Order and Structure
It always appears at the very beginning of the noun phrase. If there is an adjective, quel comes before it: Quelle belle journée !
In more formal or literary contexts, quel can be used with the verb être to emphasize a reaction: Quelle fut sa surprise ! (What a surprise he/she had!).
3. Pronunciation
All four forms are pronounced the same (/kɛl/). However, in the plural, you must perform a liaison if the next word starts with a vowel: Quels_amis ! (pronounced with a /z/ sound).
4. Distinction from Interrogatives
The forms are identical to the interrogative quel (Which/What?). The difference is shown by the exclamation mark and the context of the sentence.
5. Punctuation Note
In French typography, a non-breaking space is required before the exclamation mark (e.g., Quel dommage !).
Examples (5)
- Quel dommage !
What a pity!
Word by Word: What pity!
A very common set phrase using the masculine singular form.
- Quelle bonne idée tu as eue !
What a great idea you had!
Word by Word: What good idea you have had!
'Quelle' agrees with the feminine noun 'idée'.
- Quels magnifiques paysages !
What magnificent landscapes!
Word by Word: What magnificent landscapes!
'Quels' is masculine plural to match 'paysages'.
- Quelle horreur !
How horrible! / What a horror!
Word by Word: What horror!
Used to express shock or disgust; 'horreur' is feminine.
- Quelles jolies fleurs !
What pretty flowers!
Word by Word: What pretty flowers!
'Quelles' is feminine plural to match 'fleurs'.
Common Mistakes
Adding an indefinite article (un/une) after quel.
Quel un beau voyage !Quel beau voyage !In French, 'quel' acts as the determiner itself. You should never place 'un' or 'une' after it, even though we say 'What a...' in English.
Using 'quel' to modify a full clause (subject + verb).
Quel il fait beau !Comme il fait beau !'Quel' only modifies nouns. To exclaim about a whole situation or verb, use comme or que.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use 'quel' as an exclamation, learners must first understand that it is a variable adjective that must agree in gender and number with the noun it precedes. Familiarity with its interrogative form provides the necessary morphological foundation.
Related Patterns
- comme (exclamatif)How... with Comme
Used to express exclamation for a whole clause (How...!) rather than just a noun.
Level 3 - que (exclamatif)What a... with Que
Another way to express 'How...!' or 'What...!' when followed by a subject and verb.
Level 3 - Adjective agreement concept
Quel follows the same fundamental rules of gender and number agreement as adjectives.
Level 1 - Linking a silent consonant to the next vowel
Important for the plural forms 'quels' and 'quelles' when followed by a vowel sound.
Level 1
Words in This Pattern
Practice quel (exclamatif) in Bubblegum
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