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Learn to Speak French Online:
French Grammar Guidebook

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When distinguishing between different things, it is useful to know the demonstrative pronouns celui—"this one," "the one."
 

  Masculine Feminine
Singular celui celle
Plural ceux celles

 
Quel pull-over voulez-vous? Celui-ci ou celui-là?
Which sweater do you want? This one or that one?

 
Quelle voiture est-ce que tu veux? Celle-ci ou celle-là?
Which car do you want? This one or that one?

In each case we would translate celui and celle as either "this one" or "that one." Tacking on -ci makes the reference closer at hand ("this"), and -là more distant ("that").

In the plural ceux and celles mean "these" or "those."

The demonstrative pronouns are also used with de + noun.
 

Mes parents sont moins sévères que ceux de Nicole.
My parents aren't as strict as Nicole's.

 
Lequel est ton père? Celui qui a une moustache?
Which one is your dad? The one with the moustache?


Examples of Celui-ci, Lequel

  • Je ne sais pas. Voyons. Un bleu peut-être. Oui, un bleu clair, comme celui-ci.
  • Regardez ces deux chemises. Laquelle est-ce que vous préférez?
  • Je préfère celle-là.
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