French Conversation · Level 27
90 words
French word
celui
Pronunciation
IPA/səlɥi/
Meaning
- pronounthat one
Example
Prends celui.
Take that one.
More examples
Choisis celui-ci.
Choose this one.
Core concept
A pointer selecting one known male person or masculine thing from a group, often completed by -ci, -là, or a relative clause.
Common phrases
celui-ci
this one
celui-là
that one
celui de
the one belonging to ___
Similar words
celle: A pronoun for a previously identified feminine person or thing.
celui-ci: A pronoun for a nearby masculine person or thing.
celui-là: A pronoun for a distant masculine person or thing.
Definition in French
Sert à désigner une personne ou une chose précise de genre masculin au singulier, fréquemment employé avec des marqueurs de proximité ou des propositions relatives.
Word origin
The form celui emerged as an Old French demonstrative pronoun from elements associated with ce and lui, whose deeper sources include Latin ecce and ille or illum.
Usage tips
- Celui usually needs a complement such as celui-ci, celui-là, celui de Paul, or celui qui arrive when the reference is not already clear.
Opposites
- autreanother onepronoun