Just like any other language, pronouns in French are a significant part of all languages and are used in conversations to replace people, things, places, and phrases. There are two groups of French pronouns, namely personal and impersonal. A personal pronoun is a short word we use as a substitute for an individual’s name. On the other hand, an impersonal pronoun doesn\u2019t refer to a specific person or thing. Keep reading the blog further to discover more about French pronouns and their types.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Just like in English, French pronouns are used to replace a noun in written or spoken language.\u00a0 Different types of pronouns are used in various circumstances to replace distinct nouns. They allow us to avoid calling the same thing repeatedly by its name. Instead of repeatedly mentioning someone\u2019s or something\u2019s name, pronouns allow us to quickly and naturally refer to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also Read: <\/strong>50+ Basic French Language Words You Need to Know Before Getting Started<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n We hope you have now gotten a good understanding of the significance of French pronouns. Now, let\u2019s see what are the main differences between them and the pronouns in English below. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are various types of pronouns in the French language. Let\u2019s understand them through examples. See below the 12 types of French pronouns. <\/p>\n\n\n\n French subject pronouns are personal pronouns that replace a sentence\u2019s subject. Have a look at their example below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n French stress pronouns are used whenever you want to address who is doing the action. See the example of these types of pronouns below. <\/p>\n\n\n\n French direct object pronouns replace the noun to which the sentence\u2019s action is being done. The examples are given below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Indirect object pronouns replace the noun to whom the action is being done. An indirect object is similar to a direct object, except that they provide answers to the questions \u201cto whom?\u201d and \u201cfor whom\u201d. See below the examples. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Reflexive pronouns play a key role in spoken and written French. You will be required to use a reflexive pronoun whenever someone is doing something to themselves. Have a look at their examples below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Relative pronouns allow us to relate two different nouns or actions to each other. These words help us describe nouns much more accurately. Take a look at their examples below. <\/p>\n\n\n\n French indefinite pronouns allow you to replace almost any noun with a handy pronoun so you don\u2019t need to keep repeating yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just like in the English language, French possessive pronouns indicate possession. Take a look at their examples below. <\/p>\n\n\n\n French interrogative pronouns are used to introduce a question. See below the examples. <\/p>\n\n\n\n French Demonstrative Pronouns are used to quickly refer to something within immediate proximity or something previously mentioned. Let\u2019s look at the examples below. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The French pronoun en replaces the noun after an indefinite adjective or replaces the de + noun after an adverb of quantity. See below the examples for this pronoun. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The French pronoun y is used to replace phrases that describe places. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Also Read: <\/strong>French Education System<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Check your knowledge of French pronouns by answering the following questions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Q1 –<\/strong> True or False:<\/strong> There are two groups of French pronouns, namely personal and impersonal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Q2 – Fill in the Blank: <\/strong>French subject pronouns are _________ pronouns that replace a sentence\u2019s subject.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Q3 – True or False: <\/strong>The French pronoun \u201cy\u201d is used to replace phrases that describe people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Answers: A1 –<\/strong> True, A2 –<\/strong> personal, A3 –<\/strong> False<\/p>\n\n\n\n Relevant Reads: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nDifference between French and English Pronouns <\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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List of 12 Types of French Pronouns<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. French Subject Pronouns (Pronoms Sujets)<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
English<\/strong><\/td> French masculine<\/strong><\/td> French feminine<\/strong><\/td> French example with English translation<\/strong><\/td><\/tr> He\/she<\/td> Il<\/td> Elle<\/td> Il mange une pomme (He is eating an apple)
Elle lit un livre (She is reading a book)<\/td><\/tr>I<\/td> Je<\/td> Je<\/td> J’aime le caf\u00e9 (I like coffee)<\/td><\/tr> We<\/td> Nous<\/td> Nous<\/td> Nous habitons \u00e0 Paris (We live in Paris)<\/td><\/tr> You<\/td> Tu<\/td> Tu<\/td> Tu parles fran\u00e7ais? (Do you speak French?)<\/td><\/tr> You (plural + plural formal)<\/td> Vous<\/td> Vous<\/td> Pouvez-vous m’aider, s’il vous pla\u00eet ? (Can you help me, please?)<\/td><\/tr> You (singular formal)<\/td> Vous<\/td> Vous<\/td> Bonjour, Monsieur. Comment allez-vous ? (Hello, Sir. How are you?)<\/td><\/tr> They<\/td> Ils<\/td> Elles<\/td> Ils jouent au football (They are playing football)
Elles chantent une chanson. (They are singing a song)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n2. French Stress Pronouns (Pronoms Disjonctifs)<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
English<\/strong><\/td> French masculine<\/strong><\/td> French feminine<\/strong><\/td> French example with English translation<\/strong><\/td><\/tr> Me<\/td> Moi<\/td> Moi<\/td> C’est moi! (It’s me!)<\/td><\/tr> He\/her<\/td> Lui<\/td> Elle<\/td> Lui et moi sommes amis (He and I are friends)
On a offert le cadeau \u00e0 elle (We gave the present to her)<\/td><\/tr>You<\/td> Toi<\/td> Toi<\/td> Je pense \u00e0 toi. – I\u2019m thinking of you.<\/td><\/tr> Them<\/td> Eux<\/td> Elles<\/td> Eux, ils ne viendront pas. (They (masculine) won’t come.)
Elles sont all\u00e9es faire du shopping. (They (feminine) went shopping.)<\/td><\/tr>Us<\/td> Nous<\/td> Nous<\/td> Nous, on adore voyager. (We love to travel.)<\/td><\/tr> You (plural)<\/td> Vous<\/td> Vous<\/td> Vous, vous avez dit non ! – You had said no yourselves!<\/td><\/tr> You (formal)<\/td> Vous<\/td> Vous<\/td> C\u2019est vous, Madame Dubois ? – Is that you, Miss Dubois?<\/td><\/tr> Oneself<\/td> Soi<\/td> Soi<\/td> On va rester chez soi. – We are going to stay (in our own) home.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n 3. French Direct Object Pronouns (Pronoms Compl\u00e9ments D\u2019objet Direct)<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
English<\/strong><\/td> French masculine<\/strong><\/td> French feminine<\/strong><\/td> French example with English translation<\/strong><\/td><\/tr> Me<\/td> Me<\/td> Me<\/td> Tu m\u2019aimes vraiment. – You really love me.<\/td><\/tr> Him\/her\/it<\/td> Le<\/td> La<\/td> Jimmy va la manger. – Jimmy will eat it.<\/td><\/tr> You<\/td> Te<\/td> Te<\/td> Je te donne de l\u2019attention. – I give you attention.<\/td><\/tr> Us<\/td> Nous<\/td> Nous<\/td> Il va nous faire b\u00e2iller ! – He\u2019ll make us yawn!<\/td><\/tr> You (plural + plural formal)<\/td> Vous<\/td> Vous<\/td> Je vais vous appeler mes amis. – I will call you my friends.<\/td><\/tr> You (singular formal)<\/td> Vous<\/td> Vous<\/td> Je vous suis. – I follow you.<\/td><\/tr> Them<\/td> Les<\/td> Les<\/td> On va les attendre un peu. – We will wait for them a little bit.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n 4. French Indirect Object Pronouns (Pronoms Compl\u00e9ments D\u2019objet Indirect)<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
English<\/strong><\/td> French masculine<\/strong><\/td> French feminine<\/strong><\/td> French example with English translation<\/strong><\/td><\/tr> Me<\/td> Me<\/td> Me<\/td> Il m\u2019a donn\u00e9 un caf\u00e9. – He gave me a coffee.<\/td><\/tr> Him\/her<\/td> Lui<\/td> Lui<\/td> Rom\u00e9o lui donne une bo\u00eete de chocolat. – Romeo gives her a box of chocolates.<\/td><\/tr> You<\/td> Te<\/td> Te<\/td> Je veux te t\u00e9l\u00e9phoner. – I want to call you.<\/td><\/tr> Us<\/td> Nous<\/td> Nous<\/td> Elle ne nous voit plus. – She doesn\u2019t see us anymore.<\/td><\/tr> Them<\/td> Leur<\/td> Leur<\/td> Je leur t\u00e9l\u00e9phone tous les jours. – I call them every day.<\/td><\/tr> You (singular formal)<\/td> Vous<\/td> Vous<\/td> Attendez, s\u2019il vous pla\u00eet, je vous donne mon num\u00e9ro de t\u00e9l\u00e9phone. – Wait, please, I will give you my phone number.<\/td><\/tr> You (plural + plural formal)<\/td> Vous<\/td> Vous<\/td> Je veux vous acheter un caf\u00e9. – I would like to buy you all a coffee.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n 5. French Reflexive Pronouns (Pronoms R\u00e9fl\u00e9chis)<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
English<\/strong><\/td> French masculine<\/strong><\/td> French feminine<\/strong><\/td> French example with English translation<\/strong><\/td><\/tr> I<\/td> Me<\/td> Me<\/td> Je me souviens\u2026 – I remember\u2026<\/td><\/tr> He\/she<\/td> Se<\/td> Se<\/td> La musique ne s\u2019arr\u00eate pas ! – The music doesn\u2019t stop!<\/td><\/tr> You<\/td> Te<\/td> Te<\/td> Tu t\u2019es d\u00e9j\u00e0 vu dans le miroir ? – Have you seen yourself in the mirror yet?<\/td><\/tr> We<\/td> Nous<\/td> Nous<\/td> Demain, nous devons nous r\u00e9veiller tr\u00e8s t\u00f4t. – Tomorrow, we have to wake up very early.<\/td><\/tr> They<\/td> Se<\/td> Se<\/td> Les enfants, peuvent s\u2019habiller eux m\u00eames ! – The kids can get dressed by themselves!<\/td><\/tr> You (plural + plural formal)<\/td> Vous<\/td> Vous<\/td> Je serai l\u00e0 pour vous, o\u00f9 que vous vous trouviez. – I will be there for you, wherever you find yourselves.<\/td><\/tr> You (singular formal)<\/td> Vous<\/td> Vous<\/td> Attention de ne pas vous blesser ! – Careful, don\u2019t hurt yourself!<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n 6. French Relative Pronouns (Pronoms Relatifs)<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
English<\/strong><\/td> French masculine<\/strong><\/td> French feminine<\/strong><\/td> French example with English translation<\/strong><\/td><\/tr> That<\/td> Que<\/td> Que<\/td> Tu sais que je t\u2019aime. – You know that I love you.<\/td><\/tr> Which<\/td> Lequel<\/td> Laquelle<\/td> Le resto dans lequel j\u2019ai mang\u00e9. – The restaurant in which I ate.<\/td><\/tr> Who<\/td> Qui<\/td> Qui<\/td> C\u2019est toi qui me manques. – It\u2019s you I miss.<\/td><\/tr> Which<\/td> Lesquels<\/td> Lesquelles<\/td> Les cahiers dans lesquels j\u2019avais fait mes devoirs sont perdus ! – The notebooks in which I had done my homework are missing!<\/td><\/tr> Where, when<\/td> O\u00f9<\/td> O\u00f9<\/td> La ville o\u00f9 je suis n\u00e9e est tr\u00e8s petite. – The city where I was born is very small.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n 7. French Indefinite Pronouns (Pronoms ind\u00e9finis)<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
English<\/strong><\/td> French masculine<\/strong><\/td> French feminine<\/strong><\/td> French example with English translation<\/strong><\/td><\/tr> Another<\/td> Autre<\/td> Autre<\/td> Je ne veux pas manger cette pomme, je voudrais une autre. – I don\u2019t want to eat this apple, I would like another one.<\/td><\/tr> Each one<\/td> Chacun<\/td> Chacune<\/td> Chacun de vous doit faire ses devoirs. – Each one of you has to do the homework.<\/td><\/tr> Certain one, some, a few<\/td> Certain<\/td> Certaine<\/td> On a mang\u00e9 certains de ses repas. – We ate some of their meals.<\/td><\/tr> Several<\/td> Plusieurs<\/td> Plusieurs<\/td> Plusieurs de mes amis m\u2019ont dit que je ressemble \u00e0 Brad Pitt. – Several of my friends have told me that I look like Brad Pitt.<\/td><\/tr> Someone<\/td> Quelqu\u2019un<\/td> Quelqu\u2019un<\/td> Je reviens toute de suite, quelqu\u2019un me demande. – I\u2019ll be right back, someone is looking for me.<\/td><\/tr> Something<\/td> Quelque chose<\/td> Quelque chose<\/td> Veux-tu manger quelque chose ? – Do you want to eat something?<\/td><\/tr> Some<\/td> Quelques-uns<\/td> Quelques-unes<\/td> J\u2019ai invit\u00e9 tous mes amis, mais quelques-uns ne peuvent pas venir. – I invited all of my friends, but some won\u2019t be able to come.<\/td><\/tr> One<\/td> Tel<\/td> Telle<\/td> Il aime manger du fromage \u00e0 tel point qu\u2019il en mange tous les jours ! – He likes to eat cheese so much that he eats it every day!<\/td><\/tr> Oneself<\/td> Soi<\/td> Soi<\/td> Il faut faire ses devoirs soi-m\u00eame ! – You have to do the homework by yourself!<\/td><\/tr> Everything<\/td> Tout<\/td> Toute<\/td> Tout est parfait ! – Everything is perfect!<\/td><\/tr> One, a<\/td> Un<\/td> Une<\/td> Oui, j\u2019en veux une ! – Yes, I want one!<\/td><\/tr> Everyone<\/td> Tous<\/td> Toutes<\/td> Tous sont invit\u00e9s \u00e0 ma f\u00eate d\u2019anniversaire ! – Everyone is invited to my birthday party!<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n 8. French Possessive Pronouns (Pronoms Possessifs)<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
English<\/strong><\/td> French masculine<\/strong><\/td> French feminine<\/strong><\/td> French example with English translation<\/strong><\/td><\/tr> Mine (singular)<\/td> Le mien<\/td> La mienne<\/td> Si ton stylo ne marche pas, tu peux prendre le mien. – If your pen doesn\u2019t work, you can use mine.<\/td><\/tr> Yours (singular)<\/td> Le tien<\/td> La tienne<\/td> Ma voiture est chez le garagiste, alors je vais prendre la tienne. – My car is at the mechanic, so I\u2019m going to take yours.<\/td><\/tr> Mine (plural)<\/td> Les miens<\/td> Les miennes<\/td> J\u2019aime bien tes chaussures, mais je pr\u00e9f\u00e8re les miennes. – I like your shoes, but I prefer mine.<\/td><\/tr> Yours (plural)<\/td> Les tiens<\/td> Les tiennes<\/td> Ne joue pas avec mes jeux, tu as les tiens ! – Don\u2019t play with my toys, you have yours!<\/td><\/tr> His\/hers\/theirs\/its (singular)<\/td> Le sien<\/td> La sienne<\/td> Elle n\u2019a pas pris ta pomme, elle a la sienne ! – She didn\u2019t take your apple, she has hers!<\/td><\/tr> His\/hers\/theirs\/its (plural)<\/td> Les siens<\/td> Les siennes<\/td> J\u2019ai mes sports pr\u00e9f\u00e9r\u00e9s et il a les siens. – I have my favorite sports and he has his.<\/td><\/tr> Yours (singular)<\/td> Le v\u00f4tre<\/td> La v\u00f4tre<\/td> Ma maison est plus petite que la v\u00f4tre. – My house is smaller than yours.<\/td><\/tr> Yours (plural)<\/td> Les v\u00f4tres<\/td> Les v\u00f4tres<\/td> J\u2019ai mon opinion et vous avez les v\u00f4tres. – I have my opinion and you all have yours.<\/td><\/tr> Ours (singular)<\/td> Le n\u00f4tre<\/td> La n\u00f4tre<\/td> Votre appartement est plus grand que le n\u00f4tre. – Your apartment is bigger than ours.<\/td><\/tr> Ours (plural)<\/td> Les n\u00f4tres<\/td> Les n\u00f4tres<\/td> Voulez-vous acheter vos serviettes, ou voulez-vous prendre les n\u00f4tres ? – Would you like to buy your own towels, or would you like to use ours?<\/td><\/tr> Yours (formal, singular)<\/td> Le v\u00f4tre<\/td> La v\u00f4tre<\/td> Excusez-moi Madame, quel manteau est le v\u00f4tre ? – Excuse me Miss, which coat is yours?<\/td><\/tr> Yours (formal, plural)<\/td> Les v\u00f4tres<\/td> Les v\u00f4tres<\/td> J\u2019ai d\u00e9j\u00e0 pris mes cl\u00e9s, avez-vous pris les v\u00f4tres ? – I already grabbed my keys, have you grabbed yours?<\/td><\/tr> Theirs (singular)<\/td> Le leur<\/td> La leur<\/td> Ils ne doivent pas entrer dans une salle de cours qui n\u2019est pas la leur. – They shouldn\u2019t go into a classroom that isn\u2019t theirs.<\/td><\/tr> Theirs (plural)<\/td> Les leurs<\/td> Les leurs<\/td> Ces lunettes de soleil sont-elles les miennes ou les leurs ? – Are these sunglasses mine or theirs?<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n 9. French Interrogative Pronouns (Pronoms Interrogatifs)<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
English<\/strong><\/td> French masculine<\/strong><\/td> French feminine<\/strong><\/td> French example with English translation<\/strong><\/td><\/tr> Which<\/td> Lesquels<\/td> Lesquelles<\/td> Les c\u00e9l\u00e9brit\u00e9s pour lesquelles j\u2019avais tant d\u2019admiration ne sont que gens ordinaires. – The celebrities for whom I had so much admiration are just regular people.<\/td><\/tr> Which<\/td> Lequel<\/td> Laquelle<\/td> Le sac dans lequel j\u2019ai mis mes cl\u00e9s est perdu. – The bag in which I put my keys is missing.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n 10. French Demonstrative Pronouns (Pronoms Demonstratifs)<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
English<\/strong><\/td> French masculine<\/strong><\/td> French feminine<\/strong><\/td> French example with English translation<\/strong><\/td><\/tr> This one<\/td> Celui<\/td> Celle<\/td> Ce champignon n\u2019a pas l\u2019air comestible, mais celui-l\u00e0 si. – This mushroom doesn\u2019t look edible, but this other one does.<\/td><\/tr> This<\/td> Ce<\/td> Ce<\/td> Ce n\u2019est pas un probl\u00e8me ! – This is not a problem!<\/td><\/tr> These ones, which (of these)<\/td> Ceux<\/td> Celles<\/td> Parmi tous les pays du monde, quels sont ceux que tu as visit\u00e9s ? – Of all the countries in the world, which are the ones you\u2019ve visited?<\/td><\/tr> This<\/td> Ceci<\/td> Ceci<\/td> Ceci n\u2019est pas une blague ! – This is not a joke!<\/td><\/tr> It, that<\/td> \u00c7a<\/td> \u00c7a<\/td> \u00c7a marche ?- That works?<\/td><\/tr> That<\/td> Cela<\/td> Cela<\/td> Cela c\u2019est termin\u00e9. – That is over.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n 11. The French pronoun en<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
English verb<\/strong><\/td> French verb<\/strong><\/td> French example without en<\/strong><\/td> French example with en<\/strong><\/td> English meaning<\/strong><\/td><\/tr> To be scared of<\/td> Avoir peur de<\/td> J\u2019ai peur des araign\u00e9es.<\/td> J\u2019en ai peur.<\/td> I am scared of spiders.<\/td><\/tr> To need something<\/td> Avoir besoin de<\/td> J\u2019ai besoin de ton aide.<\/td> J\u2019en ai besoin.<\/td> I am scared of spiders.<\/td><\/tr> To come back from<\/td> Revenir de<\/td> Je reviens de France.<\/td> J\u2019en reviens.<\/td> I\u2019m coming back from France.<\/td><\/tr> To dream of<\/td> R\u00eaver de<\/td> Je r\u00eave de la remise des dipl\u00f4mes !<\/td> J\u2019en r\u00eave !<\/td> I dream of graduation day!<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n 12. The French Pronoun y<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
French example without y<\/strong><\/td> French example with y<\/strong><\/td> English meaning<\/strong><\/td><\/tr> Je suis all\u00e9e en France.<\/td> J\u2019y suis all\u00e9e.<\/td> I went to France.<\/td><\/tr> J\u2019aime bien l\u2019\u00e9cole, je vais \u00e0 l\u2019\u00e9cole avec plaisir.<\/td> J\u2019aime bien l\u2019\u00e9cole, j\u2019y vais avec plaisir.<\/td> I like school, I go there happily.<\/td><\/tr> Il est chez Marie. Il va chez Marie tous les jours.<\/td> Il est chez Marie. Il y va tous les jours.<\/td> He is at Marire\u2019s place. He goes there every day.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n French Pronouns Quiz<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n