-ci - French Suffix

Suffix: -ci

Type of suffix: nominal, pronominal

The French suffix -ci literally means "here" and can be added to nouns or demonstrative pronouns to indicate that the speaker is referring to the closer of two or more things.

Nouns
With a demonstrative adjective plus noun, the suffix -ci indicates that you are referring to "this" noun rather than "that" noun. Note that it can be used for both space/location and time.

   Ce livre-ci est très intéressant.
   This book is very interesting.

   Je préfère ces rideaux-ci.
   I prefer these curtains.

   Je dois travailler ce samedi-ci.
   I have to work this Saturday.

   Qui écoute de la musique à cette heure-ci ?
   Who is listening to music at this hour?


Pronouns
When -ci is added to a demonstrative pronoun, it has two possible meanings.

1) "This one" or "these," as opposed to "that one" or "those":

   Celui-ci est très intéressant.
   This one is very interesting.

   Je préfère ceux-ci.
   I prefer these.

2) "Latter," as opposed to "former":

   J'ai lu Germinal et puis j'ai vu le film. Celui-ci est plus intéressant.
   I read Germinal and then saw the movie. The latter is more interesting.

   J'aime et les chats et les chiens, mais je préfère ceux-ci.
   I like both cats and dogs, but I prefer the latter.


Related lesson: Ci- as a prefix

Antonym: The opposite of -ci is -là.