juste ceci
In French, 'just this' is translated as juste ceci.
This phrase is used to refer to only the specific thing mentioned or pointed to.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of juste meaning 'just' or 'only' and ceci meaning 'this'.
Which one should you use?
While juste ceci refers to 'just this', you may also encounter Juste ça, which means 'just that'.
Did you know?
- While juste ceci is grammatically correct, native speakers in casual conversation almost always swap ceci for ça to say juste ça. Using ceci in a café or shop can sound overly formal or like a line from a textbook.
- The word ceci is a compound of ce and the suffix -ci, which is a shortened version of ici meaning 'here'. It literally tells the listener that the object is 'this one here'.
- In French, juste is a false friend that can mean 'fair' or 'right' in a legal or moral sense, as well as 'just' in the sense of 'only'.
Examples in context
- Pourriez-vous me donner juste ceci , s'il vous plaît?Could you give me just this, please?
- Tu n'as pris que ça à manger?Is that all you got to eat?
- Oui, rien que ça!Yes, just that!
Example conversation
Léa and Lucas are shopping for a gift.
- LéaRegarde Lucas, c'est parfait !Look Lucas, this is perfect!
- LucasTu veux acheter tout le lot ?Do you want to buy the whole set?
- LéaNon, je veux prendre juste ceci.No, I want to take just this.
- LucasD'accord, allons à la caisse.Okay, let's go to the checkout.
