French Phrase
C'est quoi la position de récupération ?
Meaning
The sentence asks for a definition or explanation of the "recovery position," a specific posture used in first‑aid to keep an unconscious person's airway open and prevent choking.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are in a first‑aid class, discussing emergency procedures, or simply asking a colleague or a medical professional to explain how to place someone in the recovery position.
✦Grammar Breakdown
C'estquoilapositionderécupération?
C'est
Contraction of "cela est"; used to introduce a statement or question.
quoi (informal question)
Used after "c'est" to ask "what is..." in spoken French; the formal version is "Qu'est‑ce que...".
de récupération
A noun phrase where "de" links the noun "position" with the purpose/characteristic "récupération" (recovery).
Question mark
In spoken French the intonation rises at the end; written form keeps the question mark.
🗨In Conversation
C'est quoi la position de récupération ?
What is the recovery position?
C'est la posture où l'on place une personne inconsciente, sur le côté, pour garder les voies respiratoires dégagées.
It's the posture where you place an unconscious person on their side to keep the airways clear.
✕Common Mistakes
Qu'est quoi la position de récupération ?
The correct informal form is "C'est quoi"; "Qu'est‑ce que" is the formal version.
C'est quoi la position de récupérative ?
The noun is "récupération"; "récupérative" is an adjective and does not fit here.
C'est quoi la position de récupération ?
In official first‑aid contexts, use "position latérale de sécurité" (PLS) for a more precise term.
↔Alternatives
Quelle est la position de récupération ?
What is the recovery position?
Peux‑tu m'expliquer la position de récupération ?
Can you explain the recovery position to me?
Comment fait‑on la position de récupération ?
How do you do the recovery position?
Cultural Tip
In French‑speaking countries the term most often used in first‑aid manuals is "position latérale de sécurité" (PLS). While "position de récupération" is understood, saying "PLS" sounds more professional and is the phrase you’ll hear in official training courses.