ceci
/sə.si/
In French, 'this' is expressed as ceci.
ceci is a pronoun used to refer to the specific thing or item being indicated, particularly something that is closer to the speaker.
Meaning: the thing, item, etc. being indicated (pron)
Which one should you use?
While ceci refers to 'this' (the thing close to the speaker), the related form cela refers to 'that' (the thing further away or previously mentioned). Additionally, in everyday spoken French, the word ça is much more common than ceci to mean either 'this' or 'that'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, Canada, the phrase C'truc-là is used to mean 'this thing'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
ceci is an invariable pronoun, which means it does not change its form based on the gender or number of the object it represents.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /sə.si/ in two syllables.
Did you know?
- If you want to point to something very specific and close, you might add the suffix -ci to a noun, such as 'ce livre-ci' for 'this book'.
- In formal French writing, you can use ceci to introduce a statement that you are about to make, acting like a pointer to your own upcoming words.
- In France, using ceci in a casual setting can make a speaker sound like they are performing in a play or reading a 19th-century novel.
Examples in context
- Qui veut ceci ?Who wants this?This sentence shows how to use ceci to ask who wants a specific item.Tatoeba #5389598 by Aiji, translation #2011302 by CK
- As-tu lu ceci ?Have you read this?This sentence uses ceci to ask if someone has read a specific thing.Tatoeba #7251092 by Rockaround, translation #3393184 by CK
- Qui vend ceci ?Who sells this?This sentence uses ceci to ask who is selling a specific item.Tatoeba #8352402 by Aiji, translation #1655484 by gleki
- Ce livre est passionnant.This book is fascinating.
- Je préfère cette chanson-ci.I prefer this song.
- Ça, c'est intéressant!That is interesting!
- Je n'aime pas ces chaussures-là.I don't like those shoes.
- J'aimerais essayer ce plat délicieux.I would like to try this delicious dish.
- 1407 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Emma are looking at a strange object in a shop.
- NathanRegarde ceci, Emma !Look at this, Emma!
- EmmaC'est très bizarre.It is very strange.
- NathanJe veux acheter ceci.I want to buy this.
- EmmaC'est une mauvaise idée.That is a bad idea.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “this” translations and entries ceci, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
