que
what (used in direct questions)
Que fais-tu ce soir ?
What are you doing tonight?
only
nothing but (used with ne... to express restriction)
than (used in comparisons)
Elle est plus grande que moi.
She is taller than me.
that (introducing a subordinate clause)
Je sais que tu as faim.
I know that you are hungry.
whom
which
that (introducing a relative clause as direct object)
Le livre que j'ai lu était passionnant.
The book that I read was fascinating.
how
what (used to introduce an exclamation)
Que c'est beau ici !
How beautiful it is here!
Notes
GENERAL INFO
Que is a highly versatile word. It can be a relative pronoun ("that," "which," "whom"), a conjunction ("that"), or an interrogative/exclamatory word ("what," "how").
USAGE
As a relative pronoun, it introduces a clause where it's the direct object: "Le film *que* j'ai vu." (The movie that I watched).
As a conjunction, it links clauses: "Il pense *que* tu viendras." (He thinks that you will come).
In questions: "Qu'est-ce *que* tu veux?" (What do you want?).
TRAPS
Often confused with "qui". Que typically replaces a direct object, while "qui" replaces a subject.
Remember elision: qu' il, qu' elle.
