🎓 Prepared by students from Boğaziçi University

What are demonstrative pronouns: celui-ci, celui-là?

Demonstrative pronouns replace nouns to point out specific people or things in conversation. Celui-ci (this one), celui-là (that one), and ce dernier (the latter) are essential French pronouns for clarity and precision.

Short answer

Demonstrative pronouns (celui-ci, celui-là, ce dernier, ceux-ci, celles-là, etc.) replace nouns and specify proximity — celui-ci refers to something closer, celui-là to something farther.

Demonstrative pronouns by proximity

Closer (celui-ci, ceux-ci)

•singular masculine: celui-ci
•singular feminine: celle-ci
•plural: ceux-ci, celles-ci

Farther (celui-là, ceux-là)

•singular masculine: celui-là
•singular feminine: celle-là
•plural: ceux-là, celles-là

Step-by-step worked examples

Which book do you prefer — this one or that one? — Je préfère celui-ci.

celui-ci = this one (masculine, singular, closer)
Replaces 'ce livre-ci' (this book here)
Answer: I prefer this one.

These two paintings: celui-ci is modern, celui-là is classical.

celui-ci = this one (closer to speaker)
celui-là = that one (farther from speaker)
Both masculine singular, replacing 'ce tableau'

She wanted the red dress, and I chose that one — celle-là.

celle-là = that one (feminine, singular, farther)
Replaces 'la robe' (the dress)
Shows gender/number agreement

Flashcards

Quick quiz

Q1.Choose the correct demonstrative: 'Je veux _____ (this one feminine).'

Correct answer: B. celle-ci is feminine singular, matching the implied feminine noun.

Q2.Which distance does celui-là indicate?

Correct answer: C. celui-là always indicates something farther away or more distant.

Q3.Plural masculine form for 'those ones' (farther)?

Correct answer: B. ceux-là is plural masculine demonstrative for farther objects.

Q4.'Je préfère celle-ci' — what gender/number is implied?

Correct answer: B. celle-ci is feminine singular, so it replaces a singular feminine noun.

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Common mistakes

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Saying 'ce celui-ci' — doubling the demonstrative. — Correct: Use either the adjective 'ce' or the pronoun 'celui-ci', not both.

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Confusing celui and cela. — Correct: celui = demonstrative pronoun replacing a specific noun; cela = general 'that'.

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Using celui-ci for farther objects. — Correct: celui-ci is closer; celui-là is farther.

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Ignoring gender/number agreement. — Correct: celui-ci (masc), celle-ci (fem), ceux-ci (pl masc), celles-ci (pl fem).

FAQ

What is a demonstrative pronoun?

A demonstrative pronoun replaces a noun and points out which specific person or thing you mean — celui-ci, celui-là, etc.

How do I know when to use celui-ci or celui-là?

Use celui-ci for closer/nearer objects; celui-là for farther ones.

What's the difference between 'ce' and 'celui-ci'?

'Ce' is a demonstrative adjective (ce livre); 'celui-ci' is a demonstrative pronoun (this one).

How many forms do demonstrative pronouns have?

Six: singular (celui-ci/celui-là, celle-ci/celle-là) and plural (ceux-ci/ceux-là, celles-ci/celles-là).