Demonstrative pronouns replace a demonstrative adjective + noun,
and mean the one(s), this/that one and these/those.
Celui, celle, ceux, celles
The form of the demonstrative adjective changes according to the
gender and number of the noun it relates to.
singular plural
masculine celui ceux
feminine celle celles
When followed by qui, que or dont, the demonstrative pronouns mean
the one(s) that, or, when referring to people,the one(s)/he/she/those who.
Celui qui parle est mon frère. The one who's speaking is my brother.
Je n'aime pas ces chaussures. Je préfère celles que vous avez là-bas.
I don't like these shoes. I prefer the ones you have over there.
When followed by de, demonstrative pronouns can indicate possession.
Ce n'est pas ma raquette, c'est celle de mon père.
It's not my racket, it's my father's.
The suffixes -ci (for this, these) and -là (for that, those)
can be added in order to reinforce the contrast between
this/that one, these/those (ones).
celui-ci, celle-ci this (one); ceux-ci, celles-ce these (ones)
celui-là, celle-là that (one); ceux-là, celles-là those (ones)
Quel journal prenez-vous? Je prends celui-ci/celui-là.
Which newspaper will you have? I'll take this one/that one.
Ceci (this) and cela (that)
These do not refer to a specific noun that has been mentioned,
but to an idea, event, fact or object. Cela is frequently
shortened to ça in speech.
Ça and cela are the most commonly used forms, and are both often
used to mean this as well as that. Ceci is less common.
Je n'aime pas cela/ça. I don't like that.
Ça suffit. That's enough.
Ce means it and that, and is mainly used with the verb être.
C'est mon ami. It's/That's my friend.
Ce n'est pas juste. That's not fair.