French Phrase
C'est quoi la journée portes ouvertes de l'école ?
Meaning
Literally: "What is the school's open‑house day?" The speaker is asking for an explanation of what the open‑house event at the school entails, such as its purpose, schedule, and who can attend.
When to use
Use this informal question when you hear about a "journée portes ouvertes" in a school context and want to know the details—e.g., a parent, a prospective student, or a neighbor curious about the event.
✦Grammar Breakdown
C'estquoilajournéeportesouvertesdel'école?
C'est quoi
Informal way to ask "what is...". It is a contraction of "c'est" (it is) + "quoi" (what). In formal contexts you would use "Qu'est-ce que...".
la journée
Feminine noun meaning "the day"; often used to refer to a specific event day.
portes ouvertes
Literally "open doors"; a set phrase meaning an open‑house event where the public can visit.
de l'école
Prepositional phrase indicating possession or association: "of the school". Note the elision of "de le" → "de l'" before a vowel.
🗨In Conversation
C'est quoi la journée portes ouvertes de l'école ?
What is the school's open‑house day?
C'est une journée où les professeurs ouvrent leurs classes aux parents et aux futurs élèves, avec des présentations et des activités.
It's a day when teachers open their classrooms to parents and prospective students, with presentations and activities.
✕Common Mistakes
C'est quoi la journée porte ouverte de l'école
Missing the plural "portes" and the agreement "ouvertes"; the set phrase is "portes ouvertes".
C'est quoi la journée portes ouvertes du école
Incorrect article before a vowel; it should be "de l'école", not "du école".
Qu'est ce que la journée portes ouvertes de l'école ?
Missing the hyphen and apostrophe in "Qu'est‑ce que"; the correct written form is "Qu'est‑ce que".
↔Alternatives
Qu'est-ce que la journée portes ouvertes de l'école ?
What is the school's open‑house day?
Peux‑tu m'expliquer la journée portes ouvertes de l'école ?
Can you explain the school's open‑house day to me?
En quoi consiste la journée portes ouvertes de l'école ?
What does the school's open‑house day consist of?
Cultural Tip
In France, "journées portes ouvertes" are common in schools, universities, and even museums. They are usually scheduled once a year, often in the autumn, and are a chance for families to meet teachers, see facilities, and learn about the curriculum. The tone is usually friendly but slightly formal; using "C'est quoi" is acceptable among peers or when speaking to a younger adult, while "Qu'est‑ce que" sounds more neutral.