Celui-ci - Celle-ci - Ceux-ci - Celles-ci ? How do I use them?

Celui-ci - Celle-ci - Ceux-ci - Celles-ci ? How do I use them?

Published by Manon ·

Today, I'm going to explain the difference between CELUI - CELLE - CEUX et CELLES and their variants with "ci" and "là". You'll finally understand what they mean and how they're used in different contexts. At the end, we'll do some practice exercises.
Contents
  1. WHAT DO "CELUI" "CELLE" "CEUX" AND "CELLES" MEAN?
  2. How to use "CELUI" "CELLE" "CEUX" AND "CELLES" with “CI” and “LÀ” ?
  3. IN SUMMARY :
  4. Exercises in French on "CELUI" "CELLE" "CEUX" and "CELLES"


 

WHAT DO "CELUI" "CELLE" "CEUX" AND "CELLES" MEAN?

"Celui", "celle", "ceux" and "celles" are demonstrative pronouns used to refer to a person or thing that has already been mentioned or is known. They replace a noun preceded by a qualifying adjective or noun complement.
 

For example:
- Tu aimes bien ces chemises ?
- Oui, j’aime surtout celle qui est rouge.

 

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"Celui" and "celle" are used for singular words, "celui" for the masculine and "celle" for the feminine.
 

For example: "Parmi ces livres, celui de Camus est mon préféré."
 

Or “Parmi ces robes, celle que je préfère est la noire.
 

"Ceux" and "celles" are used for plural words, "ceux" for the masculine and "celles" for the feminine.
 

For example: "Parmi ces fleurs, celles qui sont rouges sont les plus belles."
 

Or “Parmi ces téléphones, ceux qui sont les plus récents sont les plus performants.
 

 

 

How to use "CELUI" "CELLE" "CEUX" AND "CELLES" with “CI” and “LÀ” ?

“Celui”, “Celle”, “Ceux” and “Celles” can be used with “ci” and “là” at the end. Let's see how to use them:
 

"ci" and "" are used to distinguish two things or people in the same context.
 

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Generally, "ci" refers to something closer (in space or time), while "là" refers to something more distant.
 

For example: "Ces deux robes sont belles. Celle-ci est rouge, celle-là est bleue."
 

“Celle-ci” in red is closer and “Celle-là” in blue is more distant.
 

However, in common use, French people do not automatically distinguish between the two in terms of proximity. We use “ci” and “là” to differentiate two things, but we don't necessarily refer to proximity.
 

 

 

IN SUMMARY :

"Celui", "celle", "ceux" and "celles" are demonstrative pronouns used to refer to a person or thing that has already been mentioned.
 

When followed by "ci" or "là", they help differentiate two or more elements in a context. "ci" generally refers to something closer, while "là" refers to something more distant.
 

 

Exercises in French on "CELUI" "CELLE" "CEUX" and "CELLES"

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