French Phrase
C'est quoi les critères d'éligibilité ?
Meaning
The speaker is asking for the specific requirements or conditions that must be met to be considered eligible for something, such as a program, a benefit, or a job.
When to use
Use this phrase in informal spoken contexts—e.g., a meeting with colleagues, a casual conversation with a friend, or when speaking with a client in a relaxed setting. In formal written French, replace it with "Quels sont les critères d'éligibilité ?".
✦Grammar Breakdown
C'estquoilescritèresd'éligibilité?
C'est quoi
Informal way to ask "What is..."; literally "It is what". Used in spoken French, not in formal writing.
les critères d'éligibilité
A noun phrase meaning "the eligibility criteria". "d'" is the elided form of "de" before a vowel.
Question mark placement
In French, the question mark is placed directly after the last word without a space.
🗨In Conversation
C'est quoi les critères d'éligibilité ?
What are the eligibility criteria?
Il faut être majeur, résider en France et avoir un revenu inférieur à 20 000 €.
You must be over 18, reside in France, and have an income below €20,000.
✕Common Mistakes
C'est quels les critères d'éligibilité ?
"Quels" is used with a noun, not after "c'est". The correct informal form is "c'est quoi".
Les critères d'éligibilité sont quoi ?
Word order sounds awkward; use "c'est quoi" or "quels sont" instead.
C'est quoi le critères d'éligibilité ?
"Critères" is plural; the article must agree: "les critères".
C'est quoi les critères de eligibilité ?
Do not drop the apostrophe; "de" contracts to "d'" before a vowel.
↔Alternatives
Quels sont les critères d'éligibilité ?
What are the eligibility criteria?
Quelles sont les conditions d'éligibilité ?
What are the eligibility conditions?
Quelles exigences faut‑il remplir ?
What requirements must be met?
Cultural Tip
The construction "c'est quoi" is common in everyday conversation, especially among younger speakers. In professional emails, presentations, or official documents, opt for the more formal "Quels sont les critères d'éligibilité ?". Also, note that "critères d'éligibilité" is a set phrase used in administrative and bureaucratic contexts across French‑speaking countries.