French Phrase
C'est quoi l'effet de serre ?
Meaning
The sentence asks for a definition: “What is the greenhouse effect?” It is used when someone wants a simple explanation of this climate‑related phenomenon.
When to use
Use this phrase in informal conversations about climate change, environmental science, or when a learner is curious about the term. It works well in classrooms, podcasts, or casual chats with friends.
✦Grammar Breakdown
C'estquoil'effetdeserre?
C'est
Contraction of "ce est" used to point out or identify something; informal but common in spoken French.
quoi after C'est
When "quoi" follows "c'est", it forms a colloquial question meaning "what is..."; more formal version is "qu'est-ce que".
l' (elision)
The article "le" or "la" drops the vowel before a vowel sound, becoming "l'".
effet de serre
A fixed noun phrase meaning "greenhouse effect"; "effet" is masculine, "serre" is feminine, but the phrase stays unchanged.
🗨In Conversation
C'est quoi l'effet de serre ?
What is the greenhouse effect?
C'est le phénomène où les gaz de l'atmosphère retiennent la chaleur du soleil, comme les vitres d'une serre retiennent la chaleur à l'intérieur.
It’s the phenomenon where atmospheric gases trap the sun’s heat, just like a greenhouse’s glass keeps heat inside.
✕Common Mistakes
C'est quoi l'effet de serres ?
"Serre" stays singular; adding an "s" changes the meaning to "greenhouses".
C'est quoi le effet de serre ?
The article must elide before a vowel: use "l'" not "le".
C'est quoi l'effet du serre ?
The preposition is "de" (of), not "du" (de le).
↔Alternatives
Qu'est‑ce que l'effet de serre ?
What is the greenhouse effect?
Peux‑tu m'expliquer l'effet de serre ?
Can you explain the greenhouse effect to me?
Comment définit‑on l'effet de serre ?
How do we define the greenhouse effect?
Cultural Tip
In everyday French, "C'est quoi..." is perfectly natural among friends and on social media, but in formal writing or presentations you should prefer "Qu'est‑ce que...". Also, the term "effet de serre" is widely used in French media when discussing climate policy, so hearing it on news broadcasts is common.