What you’ll learn
Demonstrative adjectives are the French equivalent of 'this' and 'that'. They point to something — a book in your hand, a café across the street, an idea you just mentioned.
Explanation
The four forms
Choose based on the noun's gender and number.
| Form | When | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ce | masculine singular | ce livre |
| cet | masc sing before vowel/h | cet ami, cet hôtel |
| cette | feminine singular | cette fille |
| ces | all plurals | ces enfants |
This or that?
French doesn't distinguish between 'this' and 'that' by default — 'ce livre' means both. For emphasis, add -ci (this, here) or -là (that, there): 'ce livre-ci', 'ce livre-là'.
- Je préfère ce film-ci. — I prefer this film (here).
- Regarde ces chaussures-là. — Look at those shoes (there).
Practice · 10 exercises
1
___ livre est intéressant.
2
___ fille est ma sœur.
3
___ enfants jouent.
4
___ hôtel est cher. (h-muet, masculin)
5
___ ami est très gentil. (masculin, voyelle)
6
___ idée est géniale.
7
Which is correct?
8
Which means 'this book here' (with emphasis)?
9
Add the right demonstrative
___ voiture est à moi.
10
Add the right demonstrative
___ pommes sont rouges.