Ce chien est mignon.
English: This dog is cute.
- Language
- French
- Level
- B1
- Unit
- Adjectifs
- Practice types
- 0
What this grammar point covers
Demonstrative adjectives in French are words used before a noun to show which person or thing you are talking about (like 'this', 'that', 'these', or 'those' in English).
When to use it
Use French demonstrative adjectives to point out or specify a particular person or thing, or to distinguish between people or things. They always come before a noun.
Key forms
- ce (masculine singular, before consonant): ce livre
- cet (masculine singular, before vowel or silent h): cet arbre
- cette (feminine singular): cette chaise
- ces (plural, both masculine and feminine): ces enfants
Examples
Cet homme parle vite.
English: That man speaks fast.
Cette robe est nouvelle.
English: This dress is new.
Ces fleurs sont belles.
English: These flowers are beautiful.
Je préfère cet hôtel.
English: I prefer this hotel.
Tips
- Use 'cet' only before masculine singular nouns starting with a vowel or silent 'h'.
- 'Ces' is used for all plural nouns, no matter the gender.
- Do not confuse 'ce', 'cet', 'cette', and 'ces' with the pronoun 'ce' (as in 'C'est').
Exceptions and edge cases
- Remember that 'cet' is only for masculine singular nouns that begin with a vowel or silent 'h', not for feminine nouns.