40.1 Ce this livre book est is très very intéressant interesting
40.2 J' I aime love cette this musique music française French
40.3 Regarde look ceci this attentivement carefully
40.4 Cette this maison house appartient belongs à to mon my oncle uncle
40.5 Ce this matin morning il it pleuvait was-raining beaucoup much
40.6 Pourquoi why dis- say tu you cela this
40.7 À at ce this moment- moment là there tout everything a has changé changed
40.8 Cette this année year nous we partons leave en to Italie Italy
40.9 Qu' what est- is ce this que that c' it est is
40.10 Je I n' not ai have jamais never vu seen ceci this auparavant before
40.11 Cette this histoire story me me rappelle reminds mon my enfance childhood
40.12 Ce this que that tu you dis say est is vrai true
40.13 Prends take ceci this avec with toi you
40.14 Dans in ce this cas case nous we devons must partir leave
40.15 Cette this femme woman est is ma my professeure teacher
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40.1 Ce livre est très intéressant. This book is very interesting.
40.2 J'aime cette musique française. I love this French music.
40.3 Regarde ceci attentivement. Look at this carefully.
40.4 Cette maison appartient à mon oncle. This house belongs to my uncle.
40.5 Ce matin il pleuvait beaucoup. This morning it was raining a lot.
40.6 Pourquoi dis-tu cela? Why do you say this?
40.7 À ce moment-là tout a changé. At this moment everything changed.
40.8 Cette année nous partons en Italie. This year we're going to Italy.
40.9 Qu'est-ce que c'est? What is this?
40.10 Je n'ai jamais vu ceci auparavant. I have never seen this before.
40.11 Cette histoire me rappelle mon enfance. This story reminds me of my childhood.
40.12 Ce que tu dis est vrai. What you're saying is true.
40.13 Prends ceci avec toi. Take this with you.
40.14 Dans ce cas nous devons partir. In this case we must leave.
40.15 Cette femme est ma professeure. This woman is my teacher.
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40.1 Ce livre est très intéressant.
40.2 J'aime cette musique française.
40.3 Regarde ceci attentivement.
40.4 Cette maison appartient à mon oncle.
40.5 Ce matin il pleuvait beaucoup.
40.6 Pourquoi dis-tu cela?
40.7 À ce moment-là tout a changé.
40.8 Cette année nous partons en Italie.
40.9 Qu'est-ce que c'est?
40.10 Je n'ai jamais vu ceci auparavant.
40.11 Cette histoire me rappelle mon enfance.
40.12 Ce que tu dis est vrai.
40.13 Prends ceci avec toi.
40.14 Dans ce cas nous devons partir.
40.15 Cette femme est ma professeure.
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Understanding "this" in French requires mastering four different forms, which English speakers often find challenging since English uses only one word: -
CE - Used before masculine singular nouns beginning with a consonant -
ce livre (this book) -
ce matin (this morning) -
ce cas (this case) -
CET - Used before masculine singular nouns beginning with a vowel or silent h -
cet homme (this man) -
cet arbre (this tree) -
cet hôtel (this hotel) -
CETTE - Used before all feminine singular nouns -
cette maison (this house) -
cette année (this year) -
cette histoire (this story) -
CES - Used before all plural nouns (both masculine and feminine) -
ces livres (these books) -
ces maisons (these houses) -
CECI/CELA - Used as pronouns when "this/that" stands alone -
Regarde ceci (Look at this) -
Pourquoi dis-tu cela? (Why do you say that?) -
CECI refers to something closer or about to be mentioned -
CELA refers to something further away or already mentioned
Important notes for English speakers: -
Unlike English, French demonstratives must agree in gender and number with the noun -
The choice between ce/cet/cette depends on the gender of the noun, not what it refers to -
In expressions like "qu'est-ce que" (what is this), the structure is fixed -
"Ce que" means "what/that which" and introduces a clause
Common mistakes to avoid: -
Don't use "ce" with feminine nouns -
Remember to use "cet" before vowels, not "ce" -
Don't confuse "cette" (this) with "sept" (seven) - they sound similar
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The French demonstrative system reflects important cultural aspects of the French language and mindset: -
Precision in Language: French culture values linguistic precision. While English speakers might casually use "this" for everything, French speakers must consider gender, number, and whether they're using a noun or pronoun. This reflects the broader French appreciation for exactitude in expression. -
Gender Awareness: The requirement to match demonstratives with noun genders reinforces the constant awareness of grammatical gender in French culture. This extends beyond grammar - French society traditionally has had more defined gender roles, though this is evolving. -
Formal vs. Informal Distance: The distinction between "ceci" (this here) and "cela" (that there) parallels the French cultural attention to social distance and formality. Just as French has "tu" and "vous" for different social contexts, the demonstratives can indicate physical and metaphorical distance. -
Literary and Philosophical Usage: In French intellectual discourse, "ceci" and "cela" are often used to make fine philosophical distinctions. The phrase "ceci n'est pas une pipe" (this is not a pipe) from Magritte's famous painting exemplifies how French culture uses demonstratives in sophisticated conceptual ways. -
Regional Variations: In spoken French, especially in the South, you might hear "ce livre-là" (this book here) with the addition of "-là" for emphasis, similar to how English speakers might say "this here book" in some dialects. -
Modern Usage: In contemporary French, especially in texting and informal speech, "ça" (from "cela") has become extremely common as a general-purpose "this/that/it," showing how the language adapts while maintaining its formal structures.
Understanding these demonstratives is crucial for navigating French society, from ordering "ce café" (this coffee) at a bistro to discussing "cette situation" (this situation) in a business meeting.
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From "Le Petit Prince" by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (1943), Chapter 21:
"C'est le temps que tu as perdu pour ta rose qui fait ta rose si importante. Les hommes ont oublié cette vérité, dit le renard. Mais tu ne dois pas l'oublier. Tu deviens responsable pour toujours de ce que tu as apprivoisé."
C' it est is le the temps time que that tu you as have perdu lost pour for ta your rose rose qui which fait makes ta your rose rose si so importante important. Les the hommes men ont have oublié forgotten cette this vérité truth, dit says le the renard fox. Mais but tu you ne not dois must pas not l' it oublier forget. Tu you deviens become responsable responsible pour for toujours always de of ce that que which tu you as have apprivoisé tamed.
"C'est le temps que tu as perdu pour ta rose qui fait ta rose si importante. Les hommes ont oublié cette vérité, dit le renard. Mais tu ne dois pas l'oublier. Tu deviens responsable pour toujours de ce que tu as apprivoisé."
"It is the time you have wasted for your rose that makes your rose so important. Men have forgotten this truth," said the fox. "But you must not forget it. You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed."
This passage from "The Little Prince" demonstrates the profound use of demonstratives in French literature. Saint-Exupéry uses "cette vérité" (this truth) to emphasize the immediate, present importance of the fox's wisdom. The demonstrative "cette" doesn't just point to the truth grammatically; it brings the philosophical concept into the intimate space between the fox and the prince.
The phrase "ce que tu as apprivoisé" (that which you have tamed) uses "ce que" to create a universal principle from a specific relationship. This construction, common in French philosophical writing, transforms a particular experience into a general truth.
The passage contains two key demonstrative uses: -
"cette vérité" - feminine demonstrative adjective agreeing with "vérité" -
"ce que" - demonstrative pronoun introducing a relative clause
For English speakers, note how French can't simply say "Men have forgotten this" - it must include the noun "vérité" after the demonstrative. The "ce que" construction is particularly French in style, creating an elegant way to express "that which" or "what" that English often handles more simply.
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40.16 Ce this café café est is le the meilleur best du of-the quartier neighborhood
40.17 Excusez- excuse moi me, cette this place seat est- is elle it libre free?
40.18 Non no, désolé sorry, c' it est is pour for mon my ami friend qui who arrive arrives
40.19 Regardez look ceci this: le the menu menu du of-the jour day à at douze twelve euros euros
40.20 Cette this terrasse terrace est is parfaite perfect pour for observer observing les the passants passersby
40.21 Ce this que what vous you recommandez recommend comme as dessert dessert?
40.22 Dans in ce this cas case, je I prendrai will-take la the tarte tart aux with pommes apples
40.23 Cette this ambiance atmosphere me me rappelle reminds mes my années years d' of étudiant student
40.24 Garçon waiter, ceci this n' not est is pas not ce what que that j' I ai have commandé ordered
40.25 À at cette this heure- hour ci here, il there y is a has toujours always du some monde people
40.26 Ce this matin morning j' I ai have croisé crossed votre your sœur sister ici here
40.27 Cette this musique music jazz jazz crée creates une an atmosphère atmosphere agréable pleasant
40.28 Qu' what est- is ce this que that c' it est is que than ce this bruit noise?
40.29 Dans in ce this café café, on one sert serves le the meilleur best expresso espresso de of Paris Paris
40.30 Cette this addition bill me me semble seems un a peu little élevée high
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40.16 Ce café est le meilleur du quartier. This café is the best in the neighborhood.
40.17 Excusez-moi, cette place est-elle libre? Excuse me, is this seat free?
40.18 Non, désolé, c'est pour mon ami qui arrive. No, sorry, it's for my friend who's coming.
40.19 Regardez ceci: le menu du jour à douze euros. Look at this: the daily menu for twelve euros.
40.20 Cette terrasse est parfaite pour observer les passants. This terrace is perfect for people-watching.
40.21 Ce que vous recommandez comme dessert? What do you recommend for dessert?
40.22 Dans ce cas, je prendrai la tarte aux pommes. In that case, I'll have the apple tart.
40.23 Cette ambiance me rappelle mes années d'étudiant. This atmosphere reminds me of my student years.
40.24 Garçon, ceci n'est pas ce que j'ai commandé. Waiter, this is not what I ordered.
40.25 À cette heure-ci, il y a toujours du monde. At this time, there are always people.
40.26 Ce matin j'ai croisé votre sœur ici. This morning I ran into your sister here.
40.27 Cette musique jazz crée une atmosphère agréable. This jazz music creates a pleasant atmosphere.
40.28 Qu'est-ce que c'est que ce bruit? What is this noise?
40.29 Dans ce café, on sert le meilleur expresso de Paris. In this café, they serve the best espresso in Paris.
40.30 Cette addition me semble un peu élevée. This bill seems a bit high to me.
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40.16 Ce café est le meilleur du quartier.
40.17 Excusez-moi, cette place est-elle libre?
40.18 Non, désolé, c'est pour mon ami qui arrive.
40.19 Regardez ceci: le menu du jour à douze euros.
40.20 Cette terrasse est parfaite pour observer les passants.
40.21 Ce que vous recommandez comme dessert?
40.22 Dans ce cas, je prendrai la tarte aux pommes.
40.23 Cette ambiance me rappelle mes années d'étudiant.
40.24 Garçon, ceci n'est pas ce que j'ai commandé.
40.25 À cette heure-ci, il y a toujours du monde.
40.26 Ce matin j'ai croisé votre sœur ici.
40.27 Cette musique jazz crée une atmosphère agréable.
40.28 Qu'est-ce que c'est que ce bruit?
40.29 Dans ce café, on sert le meilleur expresso de Paris.
40.30 Cette addition me semble un peu élevée.
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In French café conversations, demonstratives play crucial social and practical roles: -
Pointing to Objects: -
"cette place" (this seat) - for immediate spatial reference -
"ceci" (this) - when showing something like a menu -
French café etiquette requires clear demonstratives to avoid confusion -
Time References: -
"ce matin" (this morning) - for temporal proximity -
"à cette heure-ci" (at this time) - the "-ci" adds emphasis meaning "right now" -
These time markers are essential in French daily conversation -
Making Complaints Politely: -
"ceci n'est pas ce que..." (this is not what...) - a polite way to point out errors -
The demonstrative creates distance, making the complaint less personal -
Expressing Opinions: -
"ce café" (this café) - can express both location and judgment -
"cette ambiance" (this atmosphere) - for describing intangible qualities -
Question Formations: -
"Qu'est-ce que c'est que ce...?" - emphatic way to ask "What is this...?" -
Common in spoken French but more emotional than simple "Qu'est-ce que c'est?" -
Contextual Demonstratives: -
"Dans ce cas" (in this/that case) - for logical connections -
"Ce que vous recommandez" (what you recommend) - turns questions into noun phrases
Cultural note: French café culture values precise communication. Using the correct demonstrative shows linguistic sophistication and social awareness. Mixing up "ce/cette" immediately marks you as a non-native speaker, while proper usage helps you blend into the Parisian café scene.
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