Published May 16, 2020 • Updated June 15, 2026 — By French teacher David Issokson, teaching French online since 2014
French demonstrative adjectives are ce, cet, cette, and ces and mean this, that, these, or those. They are used to point out a specific person or thing and must agree with the gender and number of the noun they precede.
French demonstrative adjectives chart
| Masculine | Feminine | |
|---|---|---|
| Singular | ce livre (this/that book) cet hôtel (this/that hotel) | cette lampe (this/that lamp) |
| Plural | ces livres (these/those books) | ces lampes (these/those lamps) |
The basic rule
French demonstrative adjectives always come before a noun. Use ce before most masculine singular nouns, cet before masculine singular nouns beginning with a vowel or mute h, cette before feminine singular nouns, and ces before all plural nouns.
Ce livre est intéressant.
This book is interesting.
Cet hôtel est magnifique.
This hotel is magnificent.
Cette voiture est rapide.
This car is fast.
Ces fleurs sont belles.
These flowers are beautiful.
Ce
Use ce before most masculine singular nouns.
J’aime ce restaurant.
I like this restaurant.
Ce garçon est très gentil.
This boy is very nice.
Cet
Use cet before masculine singular nouns beginning with a vowel or mute h.
Cet homme parle français.
This man speaks French.
Cet arbre est très vieux.
This tree is very old.
Cette
Use cette before feminine singular nouns.
Cette chanson est magnifique.
This song is wonderful.
J’adore cette ville.
I love this city.
Ces
Use ces before all plural nouns, whether masculine or feminine.
Ces livres sont intéressants.
These books are interesting.
Ces maisons sont anciennes.
These houses are old.
Using -ci and -là
Add the suffixes -ci to emphasize this one / these here and -là to emphasize that one / those there.
J’aime cette chemise-ci.
I like this shirt.
Je préfère cette chemise-là.
I prefer that shirt.
Tu préfères ces chaussures-ci ou ces chaussures-là ?
Do you prefer these shoes or those shoes?
Summary
- ce → masculine singular
- cet → masculine singular before a vowel or mute h
- cette → feminine singular
- ces → all plural nouns
French demonstrative adjectives always precede a noun and agree with its gender and number.
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