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French • Level 1 • GRAMMAR

demonstrative pronouns

💡 Grammar Rule

French Demonstrative Pronouns (Les Pronoms Démonstratifs)

Demonstrative pronouns are used to replace a noun that has already been mentioned in a sentence. This helps avoid repetition and allows you to distinguish between different items or ideas.

1. Simple Forms

The simple forms cannot stand alone; they must be followed by a specifying element such as a prepositional phrase starting with de, a relative clause (starting with qui or que), or a past participle.

  • Celui (Masculine Singular): "The one"
  • Celle (Feminine Singular): "The one"
  • Ceux (Masculine Plural): "The ones / those"
  • Celles (Feminine Plural): "The ones / those"

Examples:

  • Mon vélo est bleu, mais celui de mon père est noir. (My bike is blue, but my father's [the one of my father] is black.)
  • Je préfère celle qui propose le réseau X. (I prefer the one that offers network X.)
  • Les accidents les plus graves sont ceux causés par l’alcool. (The most serious accidents are those caused by alcohol.)

2. Compound Forms (-ci and -là)

To identify or contrast items clearly, we add the suffixes -ci (proximity, "this one") or -là (distance, "that one") to the simple forms. These forms can stand alone.

  • Celui-ci / Celui-là
  • Celle-ci / Celle-là
  • Ceux-ci / Ceux-là
  • Celles-ci / Celles-là

Examples:

  • C’est bien celui-là ! (It’s definitely that one!)
  • Celles-ci ou celles-là ? (These ones or those ones?)

3. Neutral Forms

These forms refer to abstract ideas, whole situations, or unspecified objects rather than a specific noun.

  • Ce (Used with the verb être): C’est vrai. (It's true.)
  • Ceci / Cela / Ça: Je ne comprends pas ça. (I don't understand that.)

Important Usage Notes

  • Writing style: In formal writing, -ci usually refers to the last-mentioned (nearest) noun, while -là refers to the first-mentioned (farther) noun.
  • People: Demonstrative pronouns do not replace people directly as subjects. You wouldn't say "Celui est mon ami." Instead, use them with a possessive or relative clause: Celui de droite est mon frère. (The one on the right is my brother.)
Which book does Lucas want?
Quel livre veut Lucas ?
He wants the one on the table.
Il veut celui sur la table.
This dress is very beautiful.
Cette robe est très jolie.
I prefer that one.
Je préfère celle-là.
Are these Marie’s photos?
Est-ce que ce sont les photos de Marie ?
No, they are Paul’s.
Non, ce sont celles de Paul.
Here is my bag.
Voici mon sac.
That one is my father’s.
Celui-là est celui de mon père.
Which pen do you need?
De quel stylo as-tu besoin ?
This one, please.
De celui-ci, s'il te plaît.
These shoes are small.
Ces chaussures sont petites.
My mother’s are big.
Celles de ma mère sont grandes.
Do they like this cake?
Aiment-ils ce gâteau ?
They prefer that one.
Ils préfèrent celui-là.
That’s a good idea.
C’est une bonne idée.
I agree with that.
Je suis d'accord avec ça.
Where are the keys?
Où sont les clés ?
Take the ones from the kitchen.
Prends celles de la cuisine.
This movie is boring.
Ce film est ennuyeux.
That one is much more fun.
Celui-là est bien plus amusant.
Which one is your cat?
Quel est ton chat ?
It’s the one with black spots.
C’est celui avec les taches noires.
My house is small.
Ma maison est petite.
My sister’s is huge.
Celle de ma sœur est immense.
Do you want these apples?
Veux-tu ces pommes ?
No, I want those.
Non, je veux celles-là.
This bike is fast.
Ce vélo est rapide.
Marc’s is slow.
Celui de Marc est lent.
Is that your dog?
Est-ce que c’est ton chien ?
No, it’s the neighbor’s.
Non, c’est celui du voisin.
I am taking this bread.
Je prends ce pain.
Sophie is taking that one.
Sophie prend celui-là.
Which chair is free?
Quelle chaise est libre ?
The one on the left is free.
Celle de gauche est libre.
The flowers are beautiful.
Les fleurs sont belles.
These ones here smell very good.
Celles-ci sentent très bon.
Whose car is this?
À qui est cette voiture ?
It’s the teacher’s.
C’est celle du professeur.
This gift is for you.
Ce cadeau est pour toi.
That is very kind!
C’est vraiment gentil !
Where is my pen?
Où est mon stylo ?
It’s the one that is on the floor.
C’est celui qui est par terre.
I like this juice.
J’aime ce jus.
My brother prefers that one.
Mon frère préfère celui-là.
Is this his coffee?
Est-ce que c’est son café ?
No, it’s his wife’s.
Non, c’est celui de sa femme.
I lost my glasses.
J’ai perdu mes lunettes.
These ones are on the table.
Celles-ci sont sur la table.
Which cake does she want?
Quel gâteau veut-elle ?
She wants the chocolate one.
Elle veut celui au chocolat.

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