Demonstrative adjectives – ce, cet, cette, ces
This, that, these, those
Demonstrative adjectives point at something: this, that, these, those. They agree with the noun.
The forms
| masculine | ce livre |
|---|---|
| masculine before vowel / mute h | cet ami, cet hôtel |
| feminine | cette maison |
| plural (m. and f.) | ces livres, ces maisons |
- Ce restaurant est excellent.This restaurant is excellent.
- Cet homme est mon voisin.That man is my neighbour.
- Cette robe est jolie.This dress is pretty.
- Ces chaussures sont trop petites.These shoes are too small.
Cet and cette sound the same (sèt). Cet exists so that ce doesn't clash with a vowel.
This or that?
Ce livre can mean this book or that book. To make the difference clear, add -ci (here) or -là (there) after the noun:
- Je préfère ce livre-ci.I prefer this book.
- Tu vois cette maison-là ?Do you see that house?
With time words
- ce matin, cet après-midi, ce soirthis morning, this afternoon, this evening
- cette semaine, cette annéethis week, this year
- ce jour-làthat day
To say "this one / that one" without a noun, use celui-ci, celle-là: see Demonstrative pronouns.
Practice
- _____ garçonOptions: ce · cet · cette
Show the answer
ce
- _____ amiOptions: cet · ce · cette
Show the answer
cet
- _____ voitureOptions: cette · ce · cet
Show the answer
cette
- _____ hôtelOptions: cet · ce · cette
Show the answer
cet
In the app, this lesson is taught one idea at a time with the examples read aloud, followed by questions that explain the rule when you get one wrong. It then comes back for review on later days until you've mastered it.