Using demonstrative pronouns
Which pronoun you use depends on whether the noun it is replacing is masculine, feminine or plural.
Using celui/celle with -ci and -là
By adding -ci or -là, you infer this one or that one:
| Masculine | Feminine | English |
|---|
| Singular | celui-ci | celle-ci | this one |
|---|
| celui-là | celle-là | that one |
|---|
| Plural | ceux-ci | celles-ci | these ones |
|---|
| ceux-là | celles-là | those ones |
|---|
Examples:
- On a deux voitures : celle-ci est bleue, celle-là est verte. - We have two cars: this one is blue, that one is green.
- Quelles baskets devrais-je porter : celles-ci ou celles-là ? - Which trainers should I wear: these or those?
Other uses of celui, celle, ceux and celles
Celui, celle, ceux and celles can be used with de to mean something belonging to someone/something, for example:
- Tu parles de quelle maison, celle de David ? - Which house are you talking about, David’s? (literally, that of David)
- Mais si, tu connais cette chanson, c’est celle de David Guetta ! - You do know this song, it’s the one by David Guetta!