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French Phrase

Tu lis quoi en ce moment ?

/ty li kwa ɑ̃ sə mɔ̃/
Meaning"What are you reading right now?"
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Meaning

Literally “You read what at this moment?” – in natural English: “What are you reading right now?” The phrase is used to inquire about the current book, article, or any text the listener is engaged with.

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When to use

Use this informal question with friends, classmates, or colleagues when you want to know what they’re currently reading. It works in casual face‑to‑face conversation, video calls, or even in a quick text message.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Tulisquoiencemoment?

1

Tu (subject pronoun)

Informal second‑person singular pronoun used with friends, family, or peers.

2

lis (present of lire)

The verb *lire* (to read) conjugated in the present tense for *tu*: *lis*.

3

quoi (question word after verb)

When a question word follows the verb, French often uses *quoi* instead of *que*.

4

en ce moment (time expression)

Literally “in this moment,” it means “right now” or “at the moment.”

🗨In Conversation

A

Tu lis quoi en ce moment ?

What are you reading right now?

Je suis en train de lire *Le Petit Prince*. Et toi ?

I’m reading *The Little Prince*. And you?

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Tu lis que en ce moment ?

    After a verb, *quoi* is preferred; *que* sounds overly formal or grammatically odd in this position.

  • Vous lisez quoi en ce moment ?

    Using *vous* changes the register; the sentence becomes formal and less natural among peers.

  • Tu lis quoi en ce temps ?

    The correct idiom for “right now” is *en ce moment*, not *en ce temps*.

↔Alternatives

  • Qu'est‑ce que tu lis en ce moment ?

    What are you reading right now?

  • Tu lis quoi maintenant ?

    What are you reading now?

  • Quel livre lis‑tu en ce moment ?

    Which book are you reading at the moment?

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Cultural Tip

In spoken French, placing *quoi* after the verb (*lis quoi*) is perfectly natural and sounds more relaxed than the more formal *qu'est‑ce que tu lis*. Avoid using the formal *vous* unless you’re speaking to someone you don’t know well; otherwise the sentence can feel stiff. Also, French speakers often add a brief comment about the book after answering, which keeps the conversation flowing.