French Phrase
C'est quoi, un plan de repas équilibré ?
Meaning
The speaker is asking for a definition: “What is a balanced meal plan?” It seeks an explanation of the components that make a meal plan nutritionally balanced.
When to use
Use this informal question when discussing nutrition, diet planning, or healthy eating with friends, classmates, or a nutritionist in a casual setting. It’s perfect for classroom role‑plays about food habits or when you need clarification on a diet program.
✦Grammar Breakdown
C'estquoi,unplanderepaséquilibré?
C'est
Contraction of "ce" + "est" meaning "it is"; used to introduce a definition or identification.
quoi
Interrogative pronoun meaning "what"; placed after "c'est" in informal questions.
un plan de repas
A noun phrase meaning "a meal plan"; "plan" is masculine singular, so the article is "un".
de
Preposition linking "plan" and "repas" ("plan of meals").
équilibré
Adjective meaning "balanced"; it agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies (here "repas", masculine singular).
Punctuation
In spoken French a pause is often indicated by a comma after "quoi"; the question mark ends the interrogative sentence.
🗨In Conversation
C'est quoi, un plan de repas équilibré ?
What is a balanced meal plan?
C’est un programme qui inclut des protéines, des légumes, des glucides complets et des produits laitiers chaque jour, le tout en respectant les portions recommandées.
It’s a program that includes proteins, vegetables, whole‑grain carbs and dairy each day, all within the recommended portion sizes.
✕Common Mistakes
C’est quoi un plan de repas équilibré ?
Missing the pause/comma after "quoi" makes the sentence sound rushed; the comma signals the informal spoken structure.
C’est quoi, un plan de repas équilibrée ?
The adjective must agree with "repas" (masculine), so it should be "équilibré", not "équilibrée".
C’est quoi, un plan de repas équilibré ?
In formal contexts, replace the informal "C’est quoi" with "Qu’est‑ce que".
↔Alternatives
Qu'est‑ce qu'un plan de repas équilibré ?
What is a balanced meal plan?
En quoi consiste un plan de repas équilibré ?
What does a balanced meal plan consist of?
Peux‑tu m'expliquer un plan de repas équilibré ?
Can you explain a balanced meal plan to me?
Cultural Tip
In France, the official "Programme National Nutrition Santé" (PNNS) defines a balanced plate as ½ vegetables & fruits, ¼ proteins (meat, fish, legumes) and ¼ carbohydrates (bread, rice, pasta). When talking about a "plan de repas équilibré," French speakers often refer to this guideline, adding a portion of dairy and limiting added sugars and saturated fats. The phrase is informal; in a professional setting you’d use "Qu'est‑ce que…" or "Pouvez‑vous définir…".