Adjective Demonstratives

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Author

Kunal Khurana

Published

March 3, 2025

In French, the words Ce, Cet, Ça, Ceci, and Cela are equivalents of this/that in English for singular nouns. The main difference lies in their usage: some are used in singular contexts, while others can be used in more varied contexts. Additionally, the word Ces is the equivalent of these/those in English for plural nouns.

We also learned that with the verb être (to be) and the relative pronoun que (that), we always use Ce and not Ça. For example, we say C’est Kunal and not Ça Kunal, which translates to It is Kunal in English.

In today’s lecture, we explored these demonstratives in detail, providing examples and explanations to better understand their usage.

1. Ce, Cet, Ça, Ceci, Cela (This/That)

These words are used to refer to something specific in the singular. Their choice depends on the gender and the initial letter of the noun they accompany.

  • Ce is used before masculine singular nouns starting with a consonant.
    • Example: Ce livre (this/that book)
    • Example: Ce garçon (this/that boy)
  • Cet is used before masculine singular nouns starting with a vowel or a silent h.
    • Example: Cet arbre (this/that tree)
    • Example: Cet homme (this/that man)
  • Ça is a contracted form of Cela and is used informally to refer to something general.
    • Example: Ça va ? (How’s it going?)
    • Example: Ça m’énerve (That annoys me)
  • Ceci and Cela are used to refer to something more specific or distant.
    • Ceci (this) is used for something close or immediate.
      • Example: Ceci est important (This is important)
    • Cela (that) is used for something more distant or less immediate.
      • Example: Cela me plaît (That pleases me)

2. Ces (These/Those)

The word Ces is used to refer to plural nouns, whether masculine or feminine.

  • Example: Ces livres (these/those books)
  • Example: Ces filles (these/those girls)
  • Example: Ces arbres (these/those trees)

3. Using Ce with the Verb Être and the Relative Pronoun Que

With the verb être and the relative pronoun que, we always use Ce and not Ça.

  • Example: C’est Kunal (It is Kunal)
    (We never say Ça Kunal)

  • Example: Est-ce que vous comprenez tout ce que je vous dis ?
    (Do you understand everything that I’m telling you?)

Additional Examples

Here are some additional examples to illustrate the use of these demonstratives:

  1. Ce chat est mignon. (This/That cat is cute.)
  2. Cet avion est rapide. (This/That plane is fast.)
  3. Ça semble difficile. (That seems difficult.)
  4. Ceci est mon livre préféré. (This is my favorite book.)
  5. Cela ne me concerne pas. (That doesn’t concern me.)
  6. Ces fleurs sont belles. (These/Those flowers are beautiful.)

Conclusion

Demonstratives in French, such as Ce, Cet, Ça, Ceci, Cela, and Ces, are essential for referring to objects, people, or ideas precisely. By understanding their usage rules and practicing with examples, you can master them more easily.