Ci- French Prefix

Prefix: ci-

Type of prefix: adverbial, prepositional, adjectival

The French prefix ci- can be added to adverbs or prepositions to indicate the location of something mentioned in a document.

   ci-dessus
   above (this)

   ci-dessous
   below (this)

   ci-après
   after this

   ci-contre
   across from / facing this

Ci- can also be placed in front of an adjective or past participle:

   ci-annexé
   attached here / to this

   ci-inclus
   enclosed here

   ci-joint
   attached here / to this

   ci-mentionné
   mentioned here


Grammatical agreement: There is never any agreement when ci- is attached to an adverb or preposition.

   Veuillez trouver l'explication ci-dessous.
   Please find the explanation below.

   Voyez les détails ci-contre.
   See the details facing this.

However, when ci- is attached to an adjective or past participle, things get more complicated. If the phrase precedes the noun, there is no agreement, because the phrase is being used as an adverb:

   Vous trouverez ci-joint tous les détails.
   You'll find all of the details attached.

But when ci- follows the noun it modifies, the phrase is being used as an adjective and thus there is agreement:

   Voyez les détails ci-joints.
   See the attached details.


Related lesson: -ci as a suffix

Antonym: The opposite of ci- is là-.