Demonstrative Adjectives

Leçon 34 – Demonstrative Adjectives

A demonstrative adjective stands before a noun, in place of an article, and has the meaning “this/that/these/those”. The French demonstrative adjective agrees in gender and number with the noun it qualifies. The plural form is the same for both genders.

• Masculine singular noun beginning with a consonant or an aspirated “h” :
  • ce – this/that
    • ce chien – this/that dog
    • ce héros – this/that hero
• Masculine singular noun beginning with a vowel or muted “h” :
  • cet – this/that
    • cet enfant – this/that child
    • cet hiver – this/that winter
• Feminine singular (all forms)
  • cette – this/that
    • cette fleur – this/that flower
    • cette onde – this/that wave
• Plural (both genders)
  • ces – these/those
    • ces rideaux – these/those curtains
    • ces cartes – these/those cards

Note that contrary to English, in French, the appropriate form of the demonstrative adjective must be repeated before every noun when there are two or more items:

• Ces chaises, ces fauteuils, et cette table iront dans la salle de séjour.
• These chairs, armchairs, and table will go in the living room.

The French demonstrative adjective does not convey the distinction between “this” and “that”. Where the distinction is important, -ci (this/these), or -là (that/those) must be added to the end of the noun being qualified:

• Est-ce que vous préférez ce manteau-ci ou ce blouson-là ?
• Do you prefer this coat or that jacket?

• Ces oranges-ci sont trop mûres, mais ces bananes-là sont bonnes.
• These oranges are over ripe, but those bananas are good.

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Have a great week, friends!

A la prochaine !

Courtney