How to Say “This” in French

Which one should you use?

French demonstrative adjectives do not make a distinction between "this" and "that" as English does. If a speaker needs to distinguish between the two, they often use suffixes like -ci or -là. While ce refers to a specific item, the related phrase comme ça functions as an adverb meaning "to the degree or extent indicated."

Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?

When using "this" as a pronoun (a word that stands alone without a noun), you should not use ce. Instead, use the informal pronoun ça in spoken French or the more formal pronouns ceci and cela in writing or highly structured speech.

Related words

Known (thing) about to be mentioned (det): ce, cette.

To the degree or extent indicated (adv): comme ça.

How does it change in a sentence?

The demonstrative adjective must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies, using forms such as ce, cette, cet and ces. Specifically, the masculine form ce changes to cet when placed before a noun that starts with a vowel or a silent h.

How do you pronounce it?

/sə/

What mistakes should you avoid?

Do not use the adjective ce when you mean "this" as a standalone pronoun. Instead, use ceci, cela or ça.