This French 1 lesson explains French clothing vocabulary and demonstrative adjectives step by step, with examples in French and English. Then practise with the worksheet on French clothing vocabulary and demonstrative adjectives and check yourself with the quiz.
Quick answer: French demonstrative adjectives mean this, that, these and those: ce (masculine), cet (masculine before a vowel), cette (feminine) and ces (plural). Colors follow the noun and agree with it: cette veste verte. To ask a price, say Ça coûte combien ? and answer with the number and euros.
Level: French 1 (high school, ACTFL Novice) · Standards: ACTFL Novice Mid, WL 1.1 Interpersonal, WL 1.2 Interpretive, WL 1.3 Presentational
French clothing vocabulary and demonstrative adjectives: the lesson
What do ce, cet, cette and ces mean?
Definition
A demonstrative adjective points to something: "this", "that", "these", "those". It replaces the article and agrees with the noun. French uses the same word for "this" and "that"; add -ci (here) or -là (there) to the noun to tell them apart.
| Clothing | English |
|---|---|
| un tee-shirt | T-shirt |
| un manteau | coat |
| un bonnet | knit hat |
| une jupe | skirt |
| une écharpe | scarf |
| des chaussettes | socks |
| des bottes | boots |
Examples
- Ce pull-ci est trop grand, mais ce pull-là va bien. — This sweater is too big, but that sweater fits.
- Cet imperméable est parfait pour Nantes ! — This raincoat is perfect for Nantes!
How do you describe clothes with colors?
Rule: place and agreement
Colors go after the noun and match its gender and number: une écharpe grise, des chaussettes grises.
| Masculine | Feminine | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| noir | noire | black |
| blanc | blanche | white |
| vert | verte | green |
| gris | grise | gray |
| rouge | rouge | red |
| orange | orange | orange (never changes) |
Combine everything in one phrase: demonstrative, noun, color. Ce bonnet gris — this gray hat. Cette écharpe jaune — this yellow scarf. Ces bottes noires — these black boots. With the verb porter (to wear), you can describe a whole outfit: Aïcha porte ce jean bleu et cette veste verte. Notice that jaune and rouge already end in -e, so the feminine form is identical.
Common mistake
English puts the color first ("a red skirt"). In French, say une jupe rouge, not une rouge jupe. Do not forget to add -e and -s: des baskets blanches.
How do you ask a price or a size?
Ask Ça coûte combien ? or C’est combien ? The answer uses the number and the currency: Ça coûte trente-cinq euros. — It costs thirty-five euros. For several items, use Ils coûtent or Elles coûtent. To ask about size: Vous avez ce jean en taille 40 ? — Do you have these jeans in size 40? The word essayer means to try on: Je voudrais essayer cette veste.
Culture note
French clothing and shoe sizes follow a European system that differs from US sizes, so always check the size chart. The big national sales (les soldes) happen twice a year at dates set by law.
Zoé’s tip
Say cet anorak out loud: the final t links with the vowel, so it sounds like ce-tanorak. If a word starts with a vowel, your ear tells you to use cet.
Key points to remember
- Ce, cet, cette and ces all replace the article before the noun.
- Cet is used before a masculine noun starting with a vowel or mute h: cet anorak.
- Color adjectives come after the noun and agree: des baskets blanches.
- Orange and marron never change form.
- Ask a price with Ça coûte combien ? or C’est combien ?
Shopping for Clothes with Ce, Cet, Cette, Ces: frequently asked questions
What is the difference between ce, cet, cette and ces?
Ce is masculine singular, cet is masculine singular before a vowel, cette is feminine singular and ces is plural. They all mean this, that, these or those.
When do you use cet?
Use cet before a masculine singular noun that begins with a vowel or mute h, like cet imperméable. It makes the phrase easier to pronounce.
Where do color adjectives go in French?
Colors go after the noun and agree in gender and number: une jupe verte, des pulls verts. Orange and marron stay the same.
How do you ask how much something costs?
Say Ça coûte combien ? or C’est combien ? For the answer, use Ça coûte plus the price in euros.
How do you tell "this" from "that" in French?
Add -ci for something close and -là for something farther away: ce sac-ci, ce sac-là. Without them, one word covers both meanings.