c'est un
The English phrase "this is a" is translated into French as c'est un.
While English speakers might distinguish between "this is a" and "it is a", French uses c'est un for both of these contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
Use c'est une instead of c'est un when the noun being identified is feminine. When identifying multiple items (plural), c'est un changes to ce sont des.
Did you know?
- If you use c'est un to introduce a person, it can sound slightly impersonal or even rude, as if you are identifying them as an object rather than a human being.
- While c'est un identifies a thing, French speakers often use il est when describing a person's profession, such as saying il est professeur instead of c'est un professeur.
- The word un in c'est un shares a common ancestor with the English word 'one', as both trace back to the Proto-Indo-European root *h₁óynos.
Examples in context
- C'est un signe !This is a sign.This sentence is useful for seeing c'est un used to identify a sign.Tatoeba #1842463 by sacredceltic, translation #1841782 by Spamster
- C'est une fleur ?This is a flower?This sentence shows how to use c'est un when asking a question about a flower.Tatoeba #8553167 by Aiji, translation #1205619 by AlanF_US
- C'est un bon film.This is a good movie.This sentence demonstrates using c'est un to describe a movie.Tatoeba #655252 by Snout, translation #5573342 by n1ls
- 540 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Nathan are looking at a souvenir in a shop.
- ChloéC'est un cadeau pour toi.This is a gift for you.
- NathanC'est très gentil, Chloé !That's very kind, Chloé!
- ChloéC'est un petit souvenir de Paris.It is a little souvenir from Paris.
- NathanMerci beaucoup, j'adore !Thank you so much, I love it!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries c'est, un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
