A2
ce, cet, cette, ces — this and that
How French demonstrative adjectives work, the extra masculine form before a vowel, and how to distinguish this from that.
| ce | masculine — ce livre |
| cet | masculine before a vowel — cet homme |
| cette | feminine — cette table |
| ces | plural — ces livres |
Ce livre est intéressant.
this book is interesting
This book is interesting.
Cette voiture est à moi.
this car is at me
This car is mine.
cet exists only for sound
Ce homme is hard to say, so the masculine borrows a form that sounds like the feminine. Cet homme and cette femme are pronounced identically, and the spelling is the only thing separating them.
ce homme
cet homme
Before a vowel or silent h the masculine is cet. The same instinct produces mon amie for a feminine noun — see possessives.
One word for this and that
Ce livre is this book or that book. French does not normally distinguish them, and does not feel the lack.
-ci and -là when it matters
Je préfère ce livre-ci, pas ce livre-là.
I prefer this book-here, not this book-there
I prefer this book, not that one.
These are for genuine contrast — two things in front of you. Using them on every noun is a mark of translating from English.
Do not confuse it with c’est
Ce before a noun is this adjective. Ce in c’est is a pronoun standing in for a whole situation — see c’est and il est.
Ce restaurant, c’est le meilleur.
this restaurant, it-is the best
This restaurant is the best.
Both in one sentence, doing different jobs.