French Phrase
C'est quoi le numéro de compte du destinataire ?
Meaning
The speaker is asking for the bank account number belonging to the person who will receive a payment. It is a practical request you’ll hear when arranging a money transfer or a direct deposit.
When to use
Use this phrase in informal spoken French when you need the recipient’s account number for a bank transfer, a payment app, or any situation that requires precise banking details. In a formal setting, replace C’est quoi with Quel est or Pouvez‑vous me donner.
✦Grammar Breakdown
C'estquoilenumérodecomptedudestinataire?
C'est quoi
Informal way to ask “What is…?” by pairing the copula c’est with the interrogative quoi.
Nom + de + nom
In French, a noun can be qualified by another noun using de, e.g., numéro de compte (account number).
du = de + le
The preposition de contracts with the definite article le to form du, meaning “of the”.
Question mark placement
In written French the question mark follows a space, but in informal digital text the space is often omitted.
🗨In Conversation
C'est quoi le numéro de compte du destinataire ?
What is the recipient's account number?
C'est le 12345678.
It’s 12345678.
✕Common Mistakes
C'est quoi le numéro du destinataire ?
Missing "de compte" changes the meaning to “the recipient’s number” (e.g., ID), not the bank account number.
Quel est le numéro du destinataire ?
Again, omits "de compte" and can be misunderstood as asking for a personal identification number.
C’est quoi le numéro de compte du destinataire?
In written French a space is required before the question mark; the correct punctuation is "?" preceded by a space.
↔Alternatives
Quel est le numéro de compte du destinataire ?
What is the recipient's account number?
Pouvez‑vous me donner le numéro de compte du destinataire ?
Could you give me the recipient's account number?
J’ai besoin du numéro de compte du destinataire.
I need the recipient's account number.
Cultural Tip
In French business or banking contexts, the more polite forms (Quel est… or Pouvez‑vous…) are preferred over the very informal C’est quoi. Also, never share banking details over unsecured channels; French speakers often stress the importance of privacy and security when discussing account numbers.