I know that in French there are three different ways to ask a question:
- Simply with intontation
- With inversion
- With "est-ce que" (and therefore no inversion)
I'm specifically asking about the last two ways for this question. In particular, I want to know if these phrases are correct:
- Qu’est-ce que ça veut dire?
- Que veut dire ça?
- Qu’est-ce que “maman” veut dire?
- Que veut dire “maman”?
- Qu’est-ce que “maman” est en anglais?
- Qu'est “maman” en anglais?
- Qu'est-ce que c'est?
- Qu'est ça?
Note that I'm simply using "maman" as an example; I do know what it means!
If some of these are not correct, please explain to me why not; since I always thought you simple take out the "est-ce que/qui" and switch the position of the verb(s) and subject.
Also, I'm not quite sure how when to use "qui/que". I used to think the "qui" would refer to the subject and "que" to the object but since you say "qu'est-ce que c'est" and not "qu-est-ce qui c'est" I'm not so sure anymore. Some clarification on this would be nice as well.
EDIT: I really would like the last part of my question answered as well. Why is it "Qu'est-ce que c'est" and not "Qu'est-ce qui c'est"? Why is "qui" not appropriate here?