A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "This one" in French
Use 'celui-ci' to point out a specific item when there are multiple options.
celui-ci
suh-LOO-ee-SEEneutral
French TTS · 0:01
When you're in a shop and want to indicate a particular item among several, say 'celui-ci' to the salesperson. For example, if you're looking at shirts and want to point to one, you'd use this phrase.
Alternatives
- celle-ciUse when referring to a feminine noun.
- çaUse for a more casual, general reference to 'this'.
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing the 'l' sound
The 'l' in French is generally clearer and more forward than in English; avoid a dark 'l' sound.
Ignoring the hyphen
The hyphen connects 'celui' and 'ci' to form a single demonstrative pronoun.
A small cultural note
While 'celui-ci' is correct, in very casual spoken French, people might simply point and say 'celui-là' or even just 'là' if the context is clear.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
When do I use celui-ci vs celui-là?
Use 'celui-ci' for something close to you or the speaker, and 'celui-là' for something further away. Think 'this one here' versus 'that one there'.
What if the item is feminine?
If the item you're referring to is feminine (like 'une chemise' for a shirt), you would use 'celle-ci' for 'this one' (feminine).
Can I just say 'this' in French?
You can use 'ça' in very casual situations, but 'celui-ci' or 'celle-ci' are more precise and polite when pointing to a specific object.
