Cette

Cette is the feminine singular demonstrative determiner in French, used to indicate a noun that is near in space or time or has just been mentioned. It translates to "this" or "that" in English, depending on context. It is the feminine counterpart of ce (masculine singular before a consonant) and cet (masculine singular before a vowel or mute h). For plural references, the form is ces, used for both masculine and feminine nouns.

Usage and agreement

Cette accompanies feminine singular nouns and agrees in gender with the noun it modifies. It does not change for number beyond its singular form; when referring to more than one feminine object, ces is used. In contrast, ce and cet are used with masculine nouns. Ce precedes most masculine nouns starting with a consonant, while cet appears before masculine nouns beginning with a vowel or a mute h.

Examples

Cette femme est médecin. This woman is a doctor.

Cette idée est intéressante. This idea is interesting.

Cette voiture est neuve. This car is new.

Cette année a été difficile. This year has been difficult.

Cette fois-ci, nous allons réussir. This time, we will succeed.

Notes

Cette also enters common phrases such as cette fois-ci (this time) or cette année (this year), where it helps anchor the reference to proximity in discourse. It is a basic element of French demonstratives and appears frequently in everyday language.