Published June 15, 2026 — By French teacher David Issokson, teaching French online since 2014
French demonstrative pronouns replace a previously mentioned noun and mean the one or the ones. The four basic forms are celui, celle, ceux, and celles. They must agree with the gender and number of the noun they replace.
French demonstrative pronouns chart
| Masculine | Feminine | |
|---|---|---|
| Singular | celui (the one) | celle (the one) |
| Plural | ceux (the ones) | celles (the ones) |
The basic rule
French demonstrative pronouns replace a previously mentioned noun instead of repeating it. They agree in gender and number with the noun they replace.
J’aime ton livre, mais je préfère celui de Pierre.
I like your book, but I prefer Pierre’s.
Cette voiture est plus rapide que celle de Thomas.
This car is faster than Thomas’s.
Je préfère ces hôtels à ceux du centre-ville.
I prefer these hotels to the ones downtown.
Celui
Use celui to replace a masculine singular noun.
Ce n’est pas mon livre. C’est celui de Paul.
It’s not my book. It’s Paul’s.
J’aime ce film, mais je préfère celui de l’année dernière.
I like this movie, but I prefer last year’s.
Celle
Use celle to replace a feminine singular noun.
Cette robe est plus élégante que celle de Marie.
This dress is more elegant than Marie’s.
Je préfère cette chaise à celle près de la fenêtre.
I prefer this chair to the one near the window.
Ceux
Use ceux to replace a masculine plural noun.
J’aime ces livres, mais je préfère ceux de mon frère.
I like these books, but I prefer my brother’s.
Ces hôtels sont beaux, mais ceux près de la plage sont meilleurs.
These hotels are nice, but the ones near the beach are better.
Celles
Use celles to replace a feminine plural noun.
Ces chaussures sont jolies, mais je préfère celles en cuir.
These shoes are pretty, but I prefer the leather ones.
Ces photos sont magnifiques, surtout celles prises au coucher du soleil.
These photos are beautiful, especially the ones taken at sunset.
Demonstrative pronouns with de
Demonstrative pronouns are often followed by de to indicate possession.
C’est celui de Véronique.
It’s Véronique’s.
Voici celle de mon professeur.
Here is my teacher’s.
Je préfère ceux de ma sœur.
I prefer my sister’s.
Demonstrative pronouns with qui
They can also be followed by the relative pronoun qui to identify a specific person or thing.
Ce monsieur est celui qui travaillait ici autrefois.
This gentleman is the one who used to work here.
Je préfère celles qui sont moins chères.
I prefer the ones that are less expensive.
Demonstrative pronouns with -ci and -là
Add the suffixes -ci to emphasize this one / these ones and -là to emphasize that one / those ones.
Quelle voiture préfères-tu, celle-ci ou celle-là ?
Which car do you prefer, this one or that one?
Tu aimes ceux-ci ou ceux-là ?
Do you like these ones or those ones?
Quelles chaussures préfères-tu, celles-ci ou celles-là ?
Which shoes do you prefer, these ones or those ones?
Summary
- celui → masculine singular (the one)
- celle → feminine singular (the one)
- ceux → masculine plural (the ones)
- celles → feminine plural (the ones)
French demonstrative pronouns replace a previously mentioned noun and agree with its gender and number.
📚 Related lessons
- French demonstrative adjectives
- French possessive adjectives
- French possessive pronouns
- French articles
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