un de ceux-ci
The English phrase "one of these" is translated into French as un de ceux-ci.
This phrase is used to refer to a single item selected from a specific group of objects that are nearby.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of un (one), de (of) and ceux-ci (these [masculine plural]).
Which one should you use?
If the group of items you are referring to is feminine, you must use une de celles-ci instead.
How does it change in a sentence?
Use une de celles-ci for feminine groups.
Did you know?
- When pointing to a group of mixed-gender items, French speakers must use the masculine form un de ceux-ci regardless of which specific item they eventually pick.
- If you use un de ceux-ci to point at something, a Frenchman might assume you are pointing at something physically closer to you than something further away, because ci implies proximity.
- While un de ceux-ci is grammatically correct, a native speaker would more naturally say un de ceux-là or simply l'un d'eux in a fluid sentence.
Examples in context
- Prends l'un de ceux-ci !Take one of these.This sentence shows how to use un de ceux-ci as a command to take an item.Tatoeba #1852384 by sacredceltic, translation #1850247 by CK
- As-tu essayé un de ceux-ci ?Have you tried one of these?This sentence uses un de ceux-ci to ask if someone has tried an item.Tatoeba #7067765 by Aiji, translation #3408770 by CK
- Veux-tu encore l'un de ceux-ci ?Do you want another one of these?This sentence demonstrates the use of un de ceux-ci when asking if someone wants another item.Tatoeba #3285936 by sacredceltic, translation #2642213 by CK
- Je souhaite acheter l'un de ces livres.I want to buy one of these books.
- Lequel d'entre eux souhaitez-vous prendre ?Which one of them would you like to take?
- Je vais prendre un de ces gâteaux.I'm going to take one of these cakes.
- Prends un de ceux-là, ils sont délicieux!Take one of those, they are delicious!
- J'ai besoin de l'un de ces documents pour compléter mon dossier.I need one of these documents to complete my file.
- J'ai ramené un de ces souvenirs de mon voyage en France.I brought back one of these souvenirs from my trip to France.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Chloé are looking at several cakes in a bakery window.
- LucasRegarde, je veux un de ceux-ci.Look, I want one of these.
- ChloéLequel choisis-tu, Lucas ?Which one are you choosing, Lucas?
- LucasLe gâteau au chocolat, un de ceux-ci.The chocolate cake, one of these.
- ChloéC'est un excellent choix, Chloé approuve !That is an excellent choice, Chloé approves!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
