Demonstrative determiners

Kurz erklärt

French demonstrative determiners correspond to English this, that, these, and those. They come before a noun and agree with it in gender and number. French normally uses the same form whether the thing is near or far; the context usually makes the meaning clear.

Bildung

ce + masculine singular noun; cet + masculine singular noun beginning with a vowel or silent h; cette + feminine singular noun; ces + any plural noun

Verwendung

• Use ce, cet, cette, or ces to point out or identify a particular person or thing.
• Use cet before a masculine singular noun beginning with a vowel sound: cet ami, cet hôtel.
• Add -ci or -là to the noun when you need to emphasize near or far: ce livre-ci, ce livre-là.

Beispiele

• Ce café est très calme. — This café is very quiet.
• Cet appartement est lumineux. — This apartment is bright.
• J’aime cette veste-là. — I like that jacket.
• Tu connais ces personnes ? — Do you know these people?

Typischer Fehler

❌ Cette livre est intéressant.

✅ Ce livre est intéressant.

Unlike English this, the French determiner must agree with the noun. Livre is masculine, so use ce, not cette.

Merke

Choose the form from the French noun’s gender and number, not from the English translation. Use cet only with masculine singular nouns before a vowel sound.