What are Demonstrative Pronouns?
Demonstrative pronouns are words that identify or point to specific nouns in a sentence. In French, they include celui-ci (this one), celui-là (that one), ceci (this), cela (that), and ça (that), each varying by gender and number.
Demonstrative pronouns point to specific people or things. In French: masculine celui-ci/celui-là, feminine celle-ci/celle-là, plural ceux-ci/ceux-là or celles-ci/celles-là, and neutral ceci/cela/ça.
- •masculine: celui-ci (this one), celui-là (that one)
- •feminine: celle-ci (this one), celle-là (that one)
- •neutral: ceci (this), cela/ça (that)
- •masculine: ceux-ci (these), ceux-là (those)
- •feminine: celles-ci (these), celles-là (those)
- •neutral: (use ceci/cela + plural noun)
Step-by-step worked examples
Which shirt do you like? — This one or that one?
Quelle chemise préfères-tu? — Celle-ci ou celle-là? (feminine singular nouns: preference shown by pointing to each)
Look at these books. Those ones are better.
Regarde ces livres. Ceux-là sont meilleurs. (masculine plural: those ones = ceux-là)
I want this, not that.
Je veux ceci, pas cela. (neutral pronouns for abstract ideas or unspecified objects)
Flashcards
Quick quiz
Q1.French for 'this one' (feminine)?
Q2.'Those ones' (masculine plural)?
Q3.Use in sentence: 'I prefer this, not that.'
Q4.Which is NOT a demonstrative pronoun?
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Common mistakes
Using celui-ci for plural nouns. — Correct: Use ceux-ci (masculine) or celles-ci (feminine) for plural.
Confusing ceci and celui-ci. — Correct: ceci = this (abstract); celui-ci = this one (referring to a specific noun).
Thinking -ci and -là mean masculine/feminine. — Correct: -ci/-là mean near/far; gender varies separately (celui/celle, ceux/celles).
Using cela for specific objects. — Correct: cela is neutral/abstract; use celui-là, celle-là, etc. for specific nouns.
FAQ
What is the demonstrative pronoun for 'that' in French?
celui-là (m. sing.), celle-là (f. sing.), ceux-là (m. pl.), celles-là (f. pl.), or ça/cela (neutral).
When do you use ça instead of cela?
ça is more informal/conversational; cela is more formal. Both mean 'that' (neutral).
How do demonstrative pronouns differ from demonstrative adjectives?
Pronouns stand alone (celui-ci); adjectives come before nouns (ce livre).
Can you use ceci and cela with plural nouns?
Not directly; they're neutral/singular. For plural, use ceux-ci/ceux-là or celles-ci/celles-là.