A1 Pronouns 8 min read Easy

French 'What': Using ce qui and ce que

Use ce plus a relative pronoun to translate 'what' when it's not a direct question.
Mark as Learned
Practice it

Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use 'ce qui' when it's the subject (does the action) and 'ce que' when it's the object (receives the action).

  • Use 'ce qui' before a verb: Ce qui est bon est cher. (What is good is expensive.)
  • Use 'ce que' before a subject: Ce que je mange est bon. (What I eat is good.)
  • Think of 'ce qui' as 'that which' and 'ce que' as 'that which [subject]...'
Ce qui + [Verb] | Ce que + [Subject] + [Verb]

Overview

Why does French make you use two words for 'what' when you're just trying to complain about your Wi-Fi? You’ve probably noticed that sometimes ce qui and ce que pop up when you're looking for a simple way to say 'what' or 'the thing that.' It's like the language decided one word wasn't enough drama for your Instagram captions. These are Indefinite Relative Pronouns, and they are your secret weapon for talking about ideas, feelings, or things that don't have a specific name yet.

Think of them as the 'placeholders' of the French language. When you don't want to say le(m) gadget or la(f) situation specifically, you use these to keep it vague but cool. They are the glue that holds your complex thoughts together when you're texting a friend or writing a review for that weird movie you just streamed.

Indefinite relative pronouns are special because they don't refer to a specific noun. Most relative pronouns (like qui or que) need a 'parent' noun to refer back to, like 'the book that I read.' But indefinite ones are independent. They mean 'that which' or 'what.' In English, we usually just say 'what,' which makes it tricky for us.

If you say 'I know what you did,' you aren't talking about a specific book or car; you're talking about an action. That’s where ce qui and ce que come in. They allow you to bridge the gap between a verb and a whole concept.

You'll see these everywhere: in song lyrics, in angry TikTok comments, and definitely in your French homework. They make you sound less like a textbook and more like a real person who has opinions on le(m) café or la(f) musique. Without them, your French is stuck in simple 'subject-verb-object' land.

With them, you can start being philosophical, sarcastic, or just plain descriptive about your day.

How This Grammar Works

The magic of these pronouns is in the first part: ce. In this context, ce acts like a generic 'that.' Then you add a relative pronoun like qui, que, or dont to show the relationship. It’s like a LEGO set where ce is the baseplate.
If you want to talk about the 'what' that is doing something, you use ce qui. If you want to talk about the 'what' that someone is doing something to, you use ce que. It’s all about the role the 'what' plays in the second half of your sentence.
Imagine you are vlogging and you want to say, 'What is cool is the lighting.' Here, 'what' is the subject of 'is cool.' So, you’d use ce qui. But if you say, 'What I like is the lighting,' then 'I' am the subject, and 'what' is the thing being liked. That’s a job for ce que.
It feels like extra work at first, but it’s actually more logical than English once you get the hang of it. It’s like sorting your laundry; one pile for subjects, one pile for objects. Just don't lose your socks in the process!

Formation Pattern

1
Creating these isn't about memorizing a huge table; it's about a 3-step logic check.
2
Start with the base: ce. This is your 'the thing' part.
3
Choose your connector based on grammar:
4
Use qui if the 'what' is the subject (it’s followed by a verb).
5
Use que if the 'what' is a direct object (it’s followed by a person or a subject pronoun).
6
Use dont if the verb needs the preposition de (like avoir besoin de).
7
Watch out for vowels: que becomes qu' before a vowel. ce qu'il veut.
8
ce + qui = ce qui (The thing that... is/does).
9
ce + que = ce que (The thing that... I/you/we do).
10
ce + dont = ce dont (The thing that... I need/talk about).
11
If you're ever in doubt, look at what comes immediately after the 'what.' If there's a verb staring you in the face, ce qui is usually your best bet. If there's a name or a pronoun like tu or je, go with ce que. It's a quick visual check that works 90% of the time, kind of like checking if your phone is in your pocket before you leave the house.

When To Use It

You’ll use these whenever you’re summarizing a thought or referring to something non-specific.
  • Expressing Opinions: 'What I love about this city is the food.' (Ce que j'aime...)
  • Clarifying Information: 'I don't understand what is happening.' (Ce qui se passe.)
  • Asking for advice: 'Tell me what you need.' (Ce dont tu as besoin.)
  • Social Media: Use them for those deep, slightly emo Instagram captions like 'What matters is the journey.' (Ce qui compte, c'est le voyage.)
  • Shopping: When you’re talking to a vendor and can't remember the name of le(m) truc, you say 'What I want is that.' (Ce que je veux, c'est ça.)
  • Reacting to News: If your friend tells you they just won the lottery, you might say 'What is incredible is your luck!' (Ce qui est incroyable...)
It’s also great for being a bit mysterious. Instead of saying 'I bought a gift,' you could say 'What I bought is a secret.' It adds a little flair to your daily conversations. Think of it as the 'dark mode' of French pronouns—sleek, efficient, and slightly more sophisticated.

Common Mistakes

The number one mistake is the 'English Trap.' In English, 'what' does everything. In French, it has to pick a side.
  • Using que instead of qui: People often say ce que est instead of ce qui est. Remember, qui needs the verb! If you say ce que est, a French person’s brain will short-circuit like a laptop in a rainstorm.
  • Forgetting the ce: Beginners often just say que or qui when they mean 'what.' If you say 'Je sais que tu fais,' it means 'I know that you are doing,' which feels like an unfinished thought. You need the ce to ground it: 'Je sais ce que tu fais' (I know what you are doing).
  • The dont Disaster: Forgetting that some verbs need de. If you say ce que j'ai besoin, it's wrong because the verb is avoir besoin DE. It has to be ce dont j'ai besoin. It’s like forgetting the password to your own account—you know what you want, but you can't get in without that de!
  • Overthinking Agreement: Good news! ce is invariable. It doesn't care if the thing you're talking about is la(f) pizza or le(m) burger. It stays ce. It's the one part of French that isn't trying to trick you with gender rules.

Contrast With Similar Patterns

Don't confuse these with Qu'est-ce que or Quel.
  • Qu'est-ce que is for questions. You use it at the start of a sentence when you want an answer. 'What are you doing?' = Qu'est-ce que tu fais?
  • Ce que is for statements or embedded clauses. 'I know what you are doing' = Je sais ce que tu fais.
  • Quel is an adjective. It needs a noun right next to it. 'What book?' = Quel livre?
Think of it this way: Qu'est-ce que is a seeker (looking for info), while ce que is a teller (providing or linking info). Also, don't confuse them with ceci or cela (this/that). Ceci and cela point to a specific thing you can almost touch.
Ce qui/que links an entire action or idea. It’s like the difference between pointing at a specific slice of pizza (cela) and talking about the concept of 'what makes a pizza good' (ce qui). Use ce que when you're building a bridge between two parts of a sentence, and use qu'est-ce que when you're staring at someone waiting for them to explain why they ate your leftovers.

Quick FAQ

Q

Can I use ce qui to refer to a person?

No, use qui or celui qui. Ce qui is for things or abstract ideas.

Q

Is ce que always two words?

Yes, unless it becomes ce qu' before a vowel. Don't smash them together into one word.

Q

When do I use ce dont?

Whenever the verb in your clause usually takes de. For example, parler de becomes ce dont je parle (what I'm talking about).

Q

Is this formal or informal?

Both! You'll use it in a job interview ('What I can offer is...') and while gaming with friends ('What you just did was crazy!').

Q

Is ce que the same as 'that'?

Sort of. In English, we often say 'The thing that I like.' In French, that 'the thing that' bundle is exactly what ce que covers.

Q

Can I start a sentence with Ce qui?

Absolutely. It’s a great way to emphasize something. Ce qui est important, c'est de dormir. (What is important is to sleep). Every college student's motto, right?

Relative Pronoun Selection

Pronoun Followed By Function Example
Ce qui
Verb
Subject
Ce qui est bon
Ce que
Subject
Object
Ce que je veux
Ce qu'
Subject (vowel)
Object
Ce qu'il dit

Elision Rules

Full Form Elided Form Condition
Ce que
Ce qu'
Before vowel or silent h

Meanings

These are neutral relative pronouns used to translate 'what' when it means 'that which' or 'the thing that'.

1

Subjective 'What'

The thing that performs an action.

“Ce qui est arrivé est triste.”

“Je vois ce qui brille.”

2

Objective 'What'

The thing that is acted upon.

“Ce que tu dis est vrai.”

“Je sais ce que tu fais.”

Reference Table

Reference table for French 'What': Using ce qui and ce que
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Ce qui + Verb
Ce qui brille est beau.
Affirmative
Ce que + Subject
Ce que je vois est beau.
Negative
Ce qui + ne + verb
Ce qui ne va pas est ici.
Negative
Ce que + subject + ne + verb
Ce que je ne veux pas est là.
Question
Est-ce que + ce qui/que
Sais-tu ce qui se passe?
Short Answer
Ce que...
Ce que je veux, c'est ça.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Je ne sais pas ce qu'il souhaite.

Je ne sais pas ce qu'il souhaite. (Expressing ignorance)

Neutral
Je ne sais pas ce qu'il veut.

Je ne sais pas ce qu'il veut. (Expressing ignorance)

Informal
Je sais pas ce qu'il veut.

Je sais pas ce qu'il veut. (Expressing ignorance)

Slang
J'sais pas c'qu'il veut.

J'sais pas c'qu'il veut. (Expressing ignorance)

Relative Pronoun Map

What (Relative)

Subject

  • Ce qui Followed by verb

Object

  • Ce que Followed by subject
Sign up free to read full explanation

Examples by Level

1

Je sais ce que tu aimes.

I know what you like.

2

Ce qui est ici est à moi.

What is here is mine.

3

Dis-moi ce que tu veux.

Tell me what you want.

4

Ce qui est drôle est ici.

What is funny is here.

1

Je ne sais pas ce qui se passe.

I don't know what is happening.

2

Ce qu'il dit est important.

What he says is important.

3

Il fait ce qu'il peut.

He does what he can.

4

Ce qui compte, c'est la santé.

What counts is health.

1

Je n'ai pas entendu ce que tu as dit.

I didn't hear what you said.

2

Ce qui m'énerve, c'est le bruit.

What annoys me is the noise.

3

Il a oublié ce qu'il devait faire.

He forgot what he had to do.

4

Ce qui est arrivé hier est grave.

What happened yesterday is serious.

1

Ce que je cherche, c'est une solution.

What I am looking for is a solution.

2

Ce qui a été décidé est définitif.

What has been decided is final.

3

Je ne vois pas ce qu'il y a de mal.

I don't see what is wrong with it.

4

Ce qui me plaît, c'est voyager.

What I like is traveling.

1

Ce qui importe, c'est la persévérance.

What matters is perseverance.

2

Il a compris ce qu'il lui fallait.

He understood what he needed.

3

Ce que nous avons vécu est unique.

What we experienced is unique.

4

Ce qui semble simple est complexe.

What seems simple is complex.

1

Ce qui fut dit reste gravé.

What was said remains engraved.

2

Il a fait ce qu'il convenait de faire.

He did what was appropriate to do.

3

Ce que l'on ignore est vaste.

What one ignores is vast.

4

Ce qui est en jeu est majeur.

What is at stake is major.

Easily Confused

French 'What': Using ce qui and ce que vs Qui vs Que

Learners confuse these with the relative pronouns used for nouns.

French 'What': Using ce qui and ce que vs Quoi vs Ce qui/que

Learners use 'quoi' as a relative pronoun.

French 'What': Using ce qui and ce que vs Ce qui vs Ce que

Learners swap them based on gender.

Common Mistakes

✗

Je sais quoi tu veux.

✓

Je sais ce que tu veux.

Quoi cannot be used as a relative pronoun.
✗

Ce que est bon.

✓

Ce qui est bon.

Verb follows, so use qui.
✗

Ce qui je veux.

✓

Ce que je veux.

Subject follows, so use que.
✗

Ce que est arrivé.

✓

Ce qui est arrivé.

Verb follows, so use qui.
✗

Je ne sais pas ce qui il fait.

✓

Je ne sais pas ce qu'il fait.

Subject follows, so use que.
✗

Ce qui tu dis est faux.

✓

Ce que tu dis est faux.

Subject follows, so use que.
✗

C'est ce que je veux.

✓

C'est ce que je veux.

Correct, but ensure no 'quoi'.
✗

Il a fait ce qui il a pu.

✓

Il a fait ce qu'il a pu.

Subject follows, use que.
✗

Ce que compte, c'est le travail.

✓

Ce qui compte, c'est le travail.

Verb follows, use qui.
✗

Je vois ce qui tu regardes.

✓

Je vois ce que tu regardes.

Subject follows, use que.
✗

Ce qui nous avons vu est incroyable.

✓

Ce que nous avons vu est incroyable.

Subject follows, use que.
✗

Ce que est nécessaire est prêt.

✓

Ce qui est nécessaire est prêt.

Verb follows, use qui.
✗

Il ne sait pas ce qui il veut.

✓

Il ne sait pas ce qu'il veut.

Subject follows, use que.

Sentence Patterns

Je sais ___ tu veux.

___ est important, c'est la santé.

Il ne comprend pas ___ je dis.

___ se passe est étrange.

Real World Usage

Texting constant

Je sais pas c'que tu veux.

Social Media very common

Ce qui est génial, c'est...

Job Interview common

Ce que je recherche, c'est...

Travel occasional

Je ne comprends pas ce qui se passe.

Food Delivery occasional

Je veux ce que j'ai commandé.

Academic Writing common

Ce qui importe, c'est...

Sign up free to see all examples
💡

The Verb Test

If you see a verb, use 'qui'. If you see a subject, use 'que'.
⚠️

No Quoi

Never use 'quoi' as a relative pronoun in the middle of a sentence.
🎯

Elision

Always use 'ce qu'' before a vowel to sound like a native.
💬

Emphasis

Use 'c'est... que' to emphasize what you are saying.

Smart Tips

Check the next word. Verb = qui, Subject = que.

Je sais quoi tu veux. → Je sais ce que tu veux.

Always use 'ce qu'' to avoid clunky pronunciation.

Ce que il dit. → Ce qu'il dit.

Use 'C'est... que' structure.

Je veux ça. → C'est ce que je veux.

If it's not a question, it's probably not 'quoi'.

Je sais quoi. → Je sais ce que c'est.

Pronunciation

sə kə -> sək

Elision

Ce que becomes ce qu' before a vowel.

n/a

Liaison

No liaison usually occurs here.

Declarative

Ce qui est bon ↘

Statement of fact

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Qui does the action (Subject), Que receives the action (Object).

Visual Association

Imagine a 'Qui' (key) opening a door (verb), and a 'Que' (queue) of people waiting to be served (object).

Rhyme

Ce qui needs a verb to start, Ce que needs a subject for its part.

Story

I saw a cat. The cat was hungry. 'Ce qui' is the cat doing the eating. 'Ce que' is the food being eaten by me. I feed the cat what it wants.

Word Web

Ce quiCe queSujetObjetVerbePronom

Challenge

Write 5 sentences about your day using 'ce qui' and 'ce que' in 5 minutes.

Cultural Notes

Used constantly in daily conversation to avoid repeating nouns.

Similar usage, but often more relaxed in pronunciation.

Standard French usage applies in formal education.

Derived from Latin 'ce' (this) and 'qui/quod' (who/which).

Conversation Starters

“

Qu'est-ce que tu aimes?

“

Qu'est-ce qui est important pour toi?

“

Que penses-tu de ce qui se passe?

“

Comment expliques-tu ce que tu as fait?

Journal Prompts

Write about what you like to eat.
Write about what makes you happy.
Describe a situation that surprised you.
Reflect on what you have learned this year.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Sign up free to see all tips

Test Yourself

Fill in the blank.

Je sais ___ tu veux.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ce que
Subject follows.
Choose the correct pronoun. Multiple Choice

___ est bon est cher.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ce qui
Verb follows.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Je sais quoi tu fais.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je sais ce que tu fais.
Quoi is wrong.
Transform to use ce que. Sentence Transformation

Je veux ça. (Use ce que)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: C'est ce que je veux.
Correct structure.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Je ne comprends pas. B: ___ se passe?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ce qui
Verb follows.
Build the sentence. Sentence Building

est / ce qui / important / c'est

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ce qui est important, c'est.
Correct order.
Sort by pronoun. Grammar Sorting

Which follows a verb?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ce qui
Ce qui is for verbs.
Match the pronoun to the rule. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Follows subject
Ce que needs a subject.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blank.

Je sais ___ tu veux.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ce que
Subject follows.
Choose the correct pronoun. Multiple Choice

___ est bon est cher.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ce qui
Verb follows.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Je sais quoi tu fais.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je sais ce que tu fais.
Quoi is wrong.
Transform to use ce que. Sentence Transformation

Je veux ça. (Use ce que)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: C'est ce que je veux.
Correct structure.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Je ne comprends pas. B: ___ se passe?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ce qui
Verb follows.
Build the sentence. Sentence Building

est / ce qui / important / c'est

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ce qui est important, c'est.
Correct order.
Sort by pronoun. Grammar Sorting

Which follows a verb?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ce qui
Ce qui is for verbs.
Match the pronoun to the rule. Match Pairs

Ce que

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Follows subject
Ce que needs a subject.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Complete the sentence Fill in the Blank

C'est ___ j'ai dit.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ce que
Translate 'What interests me is music' Translation

What interests me is music.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ce qui m'intéresse, c'est la musique.
Put the words in order Sentence Reorder

ce / comprends / que / Je / dis / tu / ne / pas

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je ne comprends pas ce que tu dis
Select the correct pronoun for 'parler de' Multiple Choice

C'est ___ nous parlons.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ce dont
Fix the pronoun Error Correction

Je te donne ce qui tu as besoin.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je te donne ce dont tu as besoin.
Before a vowel Fill in the Blank

Il fait ___ ___ il veut.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ce qu'
Match the pronoun to its role Match Pairs

Match the pronoun with the correct description:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ce qui : Subject
Translate: I like what is on Netflix. Translation

I like what is on Netflix.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: J'aime ce qui est sur Netflix.
Pick the right emphasis Multiple Choice

___ est important, c'est d'étudier.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ce qui
Vague description Fill in the Blank

C'est ___ ___ j'ai acheté.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ce que

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

No, 'quoi' is only for questions or after prepositions.

No, it is neutral.

Before a vowel or silent h.

No, it is for abstract ideas or things.

Yes, but usually as part of a larger structure.

Because it relates back to a previous idea.

It is standard in all registers.

Write sentences about your daily thoughts.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

Sign up free to practice

In Other Languages

Spanish high

lo que

Spanish doesn't have a direct equivalent to 'ce qui' as a subject pronoun in the same way.

German moderate

das, was

German syntax requires a comma and a specific relative pronoun 'was'.

English partial

what

French forces a syntactic choice based on the following word.

Japanese low

koto

Japanese is agglutinative and does not use relative pronouns.

Arabic moderate

ma

Arabic does not distinguish subject/object in the same way.

Chinese low

de

Chinese has no verb conjugation or relative pronoun system.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
French Pronouns: What / The thing that (Ce que)
Next
French Relative Pronoun: What...about (Ce dont)

Related Grammar Rules

A1

Stop Doubling Your Pronouns (Le doublement du sujet)

Overview In French grammar, the principle of **subject non-doubling** is fundamental, particularly for learners at the A...
B2

French Emphasis Pronouns: Me, You, Him (moi, toi, lui...)

Overview French disjunctive pronouns, known as `pronoms toniques` (stressed pronouns), are a set of pronouns used for e...
B2

French Possessive Pronouns: Mine, Yours, Theirs (le mien, la tienne)

Overview At the B2 level, your goal shifts from simple communication to expressing complex ideas with precision and ele...
B1

French Pronoun Order: Before the Infinitive

Overview In French grammar, object pronouns are clitics, meaning they are phonologically dependent on a verb and cannot...
B1

French Demonstrative Pronouns: 'This one' and 'That one' (Celui, Celle)

Overview Demonstrative pronouns in French, specifically `celui`, `celle`, `ceux`, and `celles`, serve to replace a noun...
Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!