French Phrase
T'es là pour quoi ?
Meaning
Literally, "You are here for what?" It is an informal way to ask someone why they are present or what their purpose is. The tone can be curious, surprised, or even slightly confrontational depending on context.
When to use
Use this phrase with friends, classmates, or coworkers you know well. It is too casual for formal settings, meetings with superiors, or when speaking to strangers you want to respect.
✦Grammar Breakdown
T'eslàpourquoi?
T'es = tu es
The spoken contraction "T'es" combines the subject pronoun "tu" and the verb "être"; it is used only in informal speech.
là (adverb of place)
"Là" indicates a location or presence, similar to "here" in English.
pour (preposition)
The preposition "pour" introduces the purpose or reason for something.
quoi (interrogative pronoun)
"Quoi" asks for a thing or reason; in questions it follows the preposition "pour".
Question intonation
When spoken, the sentence rises in pitch at the end, signalling a question.
🗨In Conversation
T'es là pour quoi ?
What are you here for?
Je viens t'aider à préparer la présentation.
I came to help you prepare the presentation.
✕Common Mistakes
T'es là pour de quoi ?
In formal French the correct order is "pour quoi" only in spoken language; written formal French prefers "pour quoi" without the space after "pour" or uses "pour quoi" as part of a longer clause. Learners often insert an extra "de" ("pour de quoi").
T'es là pour quoi ?
Using "T'es" in a formal email or with a superior is considered too casual; replace with "Vous êtes".
T'es là pour quoi?.
Placing the question mark after "quoi" is correct, but some learners write "quoi?" without a space before the question mark, which is acceptable in French typography; however, avoid adding a period after the question mark.
↔Alternatives
Tu es ici pour quoi ?
What are you here for?
Tu es là pour quelle raison ?
What is the reason you're here?
Quel est le but de ta présence ?
What is the purpose of your presence?
Pourquoi tu es là ?
Why are you here?
Cultural Tip
The phrase is very colloquial and can sound blunt if the speaker’s tone is sharp. In France, using "T'es là pour quoi ?" among peers is common, but in a professional environment you’d opt for a softer form like "Pourquoi êtes‑vous ici ?" or "Quel est le motif de votre venue ?". Also, note that the written form often keeps the apostrophe (T'es) but never the accent on the "e".