Neutral Demonstrative Pronouns
French: Cambridge International GCSE, topic 8.3.10
Neutral Demonstrative Pronouns: Ceci, Cela, Ça, Ce
In French, there are demonstrative pronouns that don't refer to any gender and are classified as neutral.
Ce/Ceci
- Ce/Ceci is translated as 'that' or 'this' or sometimes it is not translated as anything.
- Ce/Ceci is used for:
- designate a person
- in impersonal sentences
- refer to a group of words
Example
- Qui est dans la maison?
- Who is at home?
- C’est moi.
- It's me.
Ça/Cela
Ça/Cela is translated as ‘that’ or ‘this’ or sometimes it is not translated as anything.
- In an oral context, ça is used and in writing cela.
- They evoke a much more general context or one that has been mentioned in the speech previously.
Examples
- Reconnaître nos défauts est essentiel. Cela est très important.
- Recognizing our flaws is essential. That's very important.
- C’est Pedro qui veut quitter l’Espagne.
- It is Pedro who wants to leave Spain.