Expressing 'this' & 'that'

01

Pointing at Specific Nouns

To translate "this" or "that" when they are followed by a specific noun (as in "this car" or "that house"), you must use a demonstrative adjective. In French, these words must agree in gender and number with the noun they introduce.

• ce: Used before masculine singular nouns starting with a consonant.
• cet: Used before masculine singular nouns starting with a vowel or a mute 'h'. This change occurs to ensure a smooth flow of sound (euphony).
• cette: Used before all feminine singular nouns, regardless of the starting letter.
• ces: Used before all plural nouns, regardless of gender.

• Ce garçon est mon frère.

  This boy is my brother.

• Cet arbre est très vieux.

  That tree is very old.

• Cette femme travaille ici.

  That woman works here.

• Ces livres sont intéressants.

  These books are interesting.

02

Distinguishing "This" from "That"

Unlike English, the words ce, cet, cette, and ces do not inherently indicate distance. Ce livre can mean "this book" (in my hand) or "that book" (over there), depending on the context.

If you need to emphasize the distance or contrast two items, you can attach the suffixes -ci (here) and -là (there) to the noun using a hyphen.

• -ci indicates closeness (this).
• -là indicates distance (that).

• Je préfère cette chaise-ci.

  I prefer this chair (here).

• Regarde cet oiseau-là !

  Look at that bird (there)!

• Tu veux ce gâteau-ci ou ce gâteau-là ?

  Do you want this cake or that cake?

03

Referring to General Ideas or Actions

When "this" or "that" does not refer to a specific noun but rather to a general idea, a statement, or an unspecified object (meaning "this thing" or "that situation"), you use indefinite demonstrative pronouns. These words stand alone in the sentence.

• ceci: Translates to "this". It refers to something close or something about to be said. It is formal and rarely used in casual conversation.
• cela: Translates to "that". It refers to something further away or something already mentioned. It is standard in written French.
• ça: This is the contracted form of cela. It is the most common way to say "this" or "that" in spoken, everyday French.

• Lisez ceci attentivement.

  Read this carefully.

• Cela ne me regarde pas.

  That does not concern me.

• Ça ne marche pas.

  That does not work.

• Je ne mange pas ça.

  I do not eat that.

04

Identifying People and Things

To say "this is", "that is", or "it is" when introducing or identifying someone or something, use the neutral subject pronoun ce combined with the verb être (to be).

When ce is followed by a vowel (like the e in est), it contracts to c'.

• C'est: Used with singular nouns, proper names, or adjectives describing a general situation.
• Ce sont: Used with plural nouns.

• C'est mon meilleur ami.

  This is my best friend.

• C'est une bonne idée.

  That is a good idea.

• C'est difficile.

  It is difficult.

• Ce sont mes valises.

  These are my suitcases.