Demonstrative Pronouns

CONTENT
  1. Ceci, Cela
  2. Celui, Celle, Ceux, Celles
  3. Celui-ci, Celui-là

Let's talk about the demonstrative pronouns - ceci, cela, celui-ci, celui-là, as well as celui and its variations.

Native

Translation

Qui t'a dit cela ?

Who told you that?

Ceci, Cela

Rule 1: Ceci and cela are pronouns that are mostly used to indicate something that is being pointed out or referred to. Both frequently refer to situations rather than to specific nouns.
Ceci means “this”, while cela means “that”.

Rule 2: When referring to a notion, ceci introduces the notion whereas cela refers to an idea already mentioned.

Native

Translation

Je comprends cela.

I understand that.

N'oubliez jamais ceci : prenez soin de votre santé mentale..

Never forget this: care for your mental health.

Rule 3: In everyday, less formal speech, cela is commonly replaced with ça.

Native

Translation

J’adore cela ! -> J’adore ça !

I love that!

Celui, Celle, Ceux, Celles

Rule 4: The demonstrative pronouns (celui, celle, ceux, celles) replace a noun and agree in gender and number with it. They never stand alone, but are followed by:

- a preposition (de, pour, ...)

Native

Translation

Ce n’est pas la maison de Jean, c’est celle de Nicolas.

It's not Jean's house, is that of Nicolas.

- a relative sentence

Native

Translation

Quel livre as-tu acheté ? J’ai pris ceux qui m’intéressent.

Which book did you buy? I took the ones that interest me.

Celui-ci, Celui-là

Rule 5: We can take the previous demonstrative pronouns (celui, celle, ceux, celles) and add -ci or -là to indicate the distance (temporal or spatial) between the speaker and the noun replaced.

- If something is spatially or temporally close, we use -ci

Native

Translation

J’aime celle-ci.

I like this one.

- If something is more distant in space or time, we use -là

Native

Translation

Je préfère celui-là.

I prefer that one.

Quiz

1/4

Translate: I heard you saying that.

0

correct answers.