French Phrase
Qu'est-ce qu'il y a à boire ?
Meaning
Literally, 'What is there to drink?' It is used to ask what beverages are available, whether at a restaurant, a party, or someone's home.
When to use
Use this phrase when you arrive at a table, join a gathering, or simply want to know what drinks are being offered. It works in both formal and informal settings.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Qu'est-cequ'ilyaàboire?
Qu'est-ce
The fixed interrogative phrase meaning 'what is it that…' formed from 'que' + 'est' + 'ce'.
qu'il
Contraction of 'que' + 'il' used before the verb 'y a' in questions.
il y a
Literally 'there is/are', the standard way to ask about existence of something.
à + infinitive
After 'il y a', the infinitive introduced by 'à' indicates what is available (e.g., 'à boire' = 'to drink').
question mark
In spoken French the intonation rises at the end; in writing the whole sentence ends with a question mark.
🗨In Conversation
Qu'est-ce qu'il y a à boire ?
What’s there to drink?
Nous avons du vin rouge, du rosé, de l'eau pétillante et du jus d'orange.
We have red wine, rosé, sparkling water and orange juice.
✕Common Mistakes
Qu'est-ce il y a à boire ?
Missing the contraction "qu'" before "il"; the correct form is "qu'il".
Qu'est-ce qu'il y a à boire
A question mark (or rising intonation) is required to indicate a question.
Qu'est-ce qu'il y a boire ?
The preposition "à" is necessary before the infinitive; without it the sentence is ungrammatical.
↔Alternatives
Qu'est-ce qu'on peut boire ?
What can we drink?
Qu'y a-t-il à boire ?
What is there to drink?
Y a-t-il quelque chose à boire ?
Is there anything to drink?
Cultural Tip
In French dining culture, it is polite to ask the host or waiter what is available before ordering. However, you rarely need to ask for water; it is automatically provided. When you ask "Qu'est-ce qu'il y a à boire ?" you show interest without sounding demanding. In formal settings, you might add "s'il vous plaît" after the question.