Pointing out objects in French is all about using demonstrative adjectives and pronouns. These words help you identify specific things, showing if they're close or far away. It's a key part of everyday conversations in French.
Learning to use these words correctly lets you describe objects clearly and ask questions about them. It's not just about grammar – it's about communicating effectively in real-life situations, from shopping to socializing in French-speaking environments.
Demonstrative adjectives and pronouns
Using demonstrative adjectives and pronouns
- Demonstrative adjectives (ce, cet, cette, ces) point out specific objects and agree in gender and number with the modified noun
- Ce and cet are used with masculine singular nouns (ce livre, cet homme)
- Cette is used with feminine singular nouns (cette maison)
- Ces is used with plural nouns of either gender (ces livres, ces maisons)
- Demonstrative pronouns (celui, celle, ceux, celles) replace a previously mentioned noun and agree in gender and number with the replaced noun
- Celui replaces a masculine singular noun (celui-ci, celui-là)
- Celle replaces a feminine singular noun (celle-ci, celle-là)
- Ceux replaces a masculine plural noun (ceux-ci, ceux-là)
- Celles replaces a feminine plural noun (celles-ci, celles-là)
Indicating proximity or distance
- The suffixes -ci (here) and -là (there) can be added to demonstrative adjectives and pronouns to indicate proximity or distance from the speaker
- Ce livre-ci (this book here) implies the book is close to the speaker
- Ce livre-là (that book there) implies the book is farther away from the speaker
- Celui-ci (this one here) refers to a masculine singular noun close to the speaker
- Celui-là (that one there) refers to a masculine singular noun farther away from the speaker
Identifying and describing objects
Sentence construction with demonstrative adjectives and pronouns
- Demonstrative adjectives are placed before the noun they modify
- Cette voiture est rouge (This car is red)
- Ces fleurs sentent bon (These flowers smell good)
- Demonstrative pronouns replace the noun entirely and may require prepositions de (of/from) or à (to/at) to link the pronoun to the rest of the sentence
- Celui-ci est à moi (This one is mine)
- Je préfère celle de gauche (I prefer the one on the left)
- Combine demonstrative adjectives and pronouns with other descriptive elements (adjectives, relative clauses) to provide more information about the identified object
- Cette grande maison blanche est à vendre (This big white house is for sale)
- Ceux qui sont sur la table sont les miens (The ones on the table are mine)
Examples of identifying and describing objects
- Cette tasse de café est chaude (This cup of coffee is hot)
- J'aime beaucoup ces chaussures rouges (I really like these red shoes)
- Celui-ci est mon livre préféré (This one is my favorite book)
- Celles que tu as achetées sont plus jolies (The ones you bought are prettier)
Conversations about objects
Using demonstrative adjectives and pronouns in conversation
- Draw attention to specific objects during a conversation using demonstrative adjectives and pronouns
- Regarde cette photo sur le mur (Look at this photo on the wall)
- Tu vois ce vase là-bas? (Do you see that vase over there?)
- Combine demonstrative adjectives and pronouns with question words to ask for information about objects
- Qu'est-ce que c'est que ça? (What is that?)
- À qui sont ceux-là? (Who do those belong to?)
- Respond to questions about objects using demonstrative adjectives and pronouns, along with additional descriptive elements as needed
- C'est le nouveau téléphone de Marie (That's Marie's new phone)
- Celui-ci est plus cher, mais il a de meilleures fonctionnalités (This one is more expensive, but it has better features)
Practicing demonstrative adjectives and pronouns in context
- Engage in role-play situations or real-life interactions in a French-speaking environment to practice using demonstrative adjectives and pronouns
- In a store: Excusez-moi, je cherche une chemise comme celle-ci, mais en bleu (Excuse me, I'm looking for a shirt like this one, but in blue)
- At a restaurant: Qu'est-ce que c'est que ce plat-là? (What is that dish over there?)
Cultural nuances of pointing in French
Politeness and gestures
- Be aware that pointing directly at a person may be considered impolite in some French-speaking cultures
- Instead, use a more open hand gesture or indicate the direction with your head
- Example: Use an open hand to gesture towards a person instead of pointing directly at them
- Be mindful of the level of formality required by the situation and the relationship between the speakers when referring to objects or people
- Use "tu" for informal situations and "vous" for formal situations or when addressing multiple people
- Example: "Tu vois ce livre?" (informal) vs. "Vous voyez ce livre?" (formal)
Regional variations and cultural adaptations
- Understand that the use of demonstrative adjectives and pronouns may vary slightly among different French-speaking regions or countries
- In some regions, "ceci" and "cela" may be used more frequently than "celui-ci" and "celui-là"
- Example: In Québec, "ceci" and "cela" are more common than in France
- Observe and adapt to the cultural norms surrounding the indication and discussion of objects in various French-speaking contexts
- Social gatherings, professional settings, or public spaces may have different expectations for pointing and identifying objects
- Example: In a professional setting, it may be more appropriate to use formal language and avoid pointing directly at objects or people