French Phrase
Qu'est-ce que je dois changer ?
Meaning
The sentence asks for advice or clarification about what needs to be altered. It can refer to anything from a document, a piece of clothing, a plan, or a personal habit. The nuance is that the speaker feels some responsibility to make a change but is unsure which element.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are reviewing something (a text, a project, a wardrobe, etc.) and you want a partner, teacher, or colleague to point out the specific part that should be modified.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Qu'est-cequejedoischanger?
Qu'est‑ce que
The fixed interrogative phrase "Qu'est‑ce que" introduces a yes/no‑style question and literally means "what is it that".
devoir (dois)
"Devoir" is a modal verb meaning "must/should"; in the present tense for "je" it becomes "dois".
infinitive after devoir
When "devoir" is used to express obligation, it is followed by an infinitive verb (here, "changer").
question mark
In written French the whole clause ends with a question mark, but the spoken intonation rises on the final word.
🗨In Conversation
Qu'est-ce que je dois changer ?
What should I change?
Je pense que le paragraphe deux est un peu confus, alors il faut le reformuler.
I think paragraph two is a bit confusing, so you should rewrite it.
✕Common Mistakes
Qu'est‑ce je dois changer ?
The interrogative "que" is required after "Qu'est‑ce"; omitting it makes the sentence ungrammatical.
Qu'est‑ce que je doit changer ?
The verb "devoir" must agree with the subject; for "je" the correct form is "dois".
Qu'est‑ce que je dois changer
In spoken French the intonation rises at the end, but in writing you must still add the question mark.
↔Alternatives
Que dois‑je changer ?
What should I change?
Qu'est‑ce que je devrais changer ?
What ought I to change?
Quel élément faut‑il modifier ?
Which element needs to be modified?
Cultural Tip
In everyday spoken French, "Qu'est‑ce que" is the most natural way to ask a question like this. The inverted form "Que dois‑je…" sounds more formal and is often used in written or academic contexts. If you want to soften the request, you can replace "dois" with the conditional "devrais" ("Qu'est‑ce que je devrais changer ?").