French Phrase
T'es qui?
Meaning
A very informal way to ask “Who are you?” It is typically used among peers, in a surprised or confrontational tone, and can sound rude if used with strangers or in a formal setting.
When to use
Use it when you’re speaking with friends, classmates, or someone you’ve just met in a casual environment and you want to know their identity quickly. Avoid it in professional, academic, or polite contexts.
✦Grammar Breakdown
T'esqui?
T'es = tu es
The subject pronoun *tu* contracts with the verb *être* (to be) to form *t'es* in spoken French.
qui (interrogative pronoun)
*Qui* means “who” and is used to ask about a person’s identity.
Word order
In informal spoken French the verb often precedes the interrogative pronoun, giving the pattern *Verb‑subject‑pronoun?*.
🗨In Conversation
T'es qui?
Who are you?
Je suis Alex, le nouveau voisin du 3e étage.
I’m Alex, the new neighbor on the third floor.
✕Common Mistakes
Tu es qui?
While grammatically correct, *Tu es qui* sounds stiff; the contracted form *T'es qui* is the natural spoken version.
T'es qui
Missing the question mark can make the sentence read as a statement rather than a question.
T'es qui ?
Adding a space before the question mark follows French typographic rules; the correct form is *T'es qui ?* with a thin non‑breaking space.
↔Alternatives
Qui es‑tu ?
Who are you?
C’est qui, toi ?
Who’s that, you?
Vous êtes qui ?
Who are you? (formal/plural)
Quel est votre nom ?
What is your name?
Cultural Tip
French places a strong emphasis on register. *T'es qui?* is considered very colloquial and can be perceived as abrupt or even impolite if you don’t already have a friendly rapport. In a polite conversation, switch to *Qui êtes‑vous ?* or *Comment vous appelez‑vous ?* to show respect.