French word

ce

Pronunciation

IPA/sə/

Meaning

  • adjectivethis

Example

Ce livre est intéressant.

This book is interesting.

Illustration for ce (this)

More examples

Ce soir, je sors avec des amis.

This evening, I'm going out with some friends.

Core concept

A small pointing label attached to one specific masculine singular noun, bringing that person or thing into focus.

Common phrases

  • ce livre

    this book

  • ce soir

    this evening

  • ce matin

    this morning

Similar words

cet: Demonstrative adjective used before a singular masculine noun beginning with a vowel or silent h.
cette: Demonstrative adjective used before a singular feminine noun.
ces: Demonstrative adjective used before a plural noun.

Definition in French

Se place devant un nom masculin singulier pour montrer ou identifier une personne ou une chose précise, par exemple: «Ce livre est intéressant.»

Word origin

French ce developed through Old French from Latin ecce, an attention-getting demonstrative form.

Usage tips

  • Before a masculine singular noun beginning with a vowel sound or mute h, ce becomes cet, as in cet homme.

Other meanings

  • thatpronoun

Related words

Word lists with this word