Ce, cette, ces: Demonstrative Adjectives
Pointing at things: this/that and these/those with ce, cet, cette, ces.
To point at a specific thing (this book, that woman, these shoes), French uses demonstrative adjectives. They agree with the noun: ce (masculine), cet (masculine before a vowel or silent h), cette (feminine), ces (all plurals). French does not distinguish this from that: ce livre can mean either. To insist, add -ci (near) or -là (far) after the noun.
CE + masculine noun: ce livre (this/that book) is the standard form before most masculine nouns.
CET before a vowel: for masculine nouns starting with a vowel or silent h: cet ami (this/that friend), cet hôtel (this/that hotel). CET and CETTE sound identical.
CETTE + feminine noun: cette femme (this/that woman) is used for every feminine noun, whatever letter it starts with.
CES + any plural: ces chaussures (these/those shoes): one form covers both masculine and feminine plurals.
-CI and -LÀ for contrast: add them after the noun to point out near versus far: ce livre-ci (this book here) versus ce livre-là (that book there).
Common mistake: using CET for a feminine noun. Feminine always stays cette (this/that (f.)) even before a vowel: cette école (this school), never "cet école".
- Ce garçon est mon frère. — This boy is my brother.
- Cet appartement est grand. — This apartment is big. (cet before a vowel)
- Cette robe est jolie. — This dress is pretty.
- Ces chaussures sont chères. — These shoes are expensive.
- Je préfère ce pull-ci, pas ce pull-là. — I prefer this sweater, not that one.
- Cette école est fermée aujourd'hui. — This school is closed today. (feminine, never 'cet école')
- Je prends cette baguette et ces croissants. — I'll take this baguette and these croissants.