French Phrase
Ce que je veux, c'est un remplacement.
Meaning
Literally, “What I want is a replacement.” The speaker is stating a specific desire – that the item or situation be replaced with a new one. It can refer to anything from a broken gadget to a job position.
When to use
Use this sentence when you need to be clear and firm about wanting a substitute for something that is faulty, missing, or no longer suitable, especially in formal or customer‑service contexts.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Cequejeveux,c'estunremplacement.
Ce que (relative pronoun)
Introduces a subordinate clause that functions as the object of the main clause; here it means “what”.
C’est (identification)
A cleft construction used to identify or define something; it links the clause to the noun phrase that follows.
Un remplacement (noun phrase)
Means “a replacement”; the indefinite article signals that any suitable replacement will do.
Comma placement
In written French a comma is placed after the subordinate clause before “c’est” to mark the pause.
🗨In Conversation
Votre téléphone ne fonctionne plus, que souhaitez‑vous faire ?
Your phone no longer works, what would you like to do?
Ce que je veux, c'est un remplacement.
What I want is a replacement.
✕Common Mistakes
Ce qui je veux, c'est un remplacement.
“Ce qui” introduces a subject clause; the correct object pronoun here is “Ce que”.
Ce que je veux, c est un remplacement.
Do not omit the apostrophe; “c’est” must stay contracted.
Ce que je veux, c'est le remplacement.
Using the definite article “le” changes the meaning to a specific replacement already known.
Ce que je veux c'est un remplacement.
The comma after the subordinate clause is required in written French to separate the two parts.
↔Alternatives
Je souhaite un remplacement.
I would like a replacement.
Je veux qu’on me le remplace.
I want it to be replaced for me.
Je désire un remplacement.
I desire a replacement.
Cultural Tip
In French customer‑service interactions, the cleft construction “Ce que je veux, c’est …” sounds assertive yet polite. It’s more formal than “Je veux …” and signals that you are stating a clear demand. Avoid using it in very casual chats with friends; a simpler “Je veux un remplacement” is more natural there.