Relative pronouns: qui and que in French
French Grammar tips with Frantastique.
Learn French online
and test Frantastique for free.
Free with no obligation to buy.
Relative pronouns: qui and que
Relative pronouns (qui, que, oĂč, dont, lequel, etc.) are used to refer to subjects that have been previously mentioned.
Jâai vu un reportage de lâAIGF. Ce reportage parle de la sexualitĂ© des Français.â Jâai vu un reportage de lâAIGF qui parle de la sexualitĂ© des Français. (qui = ce reportage)
I saw an AIGF report. This report is about the sexuality of the French. â I saw an AIGF report which is about the sexuality of the French.
I saw an AIGF report. This report is about the sexuality of the French. â I saw an AIGF report which is about the sexuality of the French.
Qui and que can often be mixed-up.
• Qui usually means ‘who’, but not always! It serves as (and replaces) the subject and is followed by a verb.
Câest une jolie maison qui a Ă©tĂ© construite en 1820. It’s a pretty house which was built in 1820.
Victor va nous prĂ©senter sa nouvelle copine qui sâappelle Marie-Chantal. Victor is going to show us his new girlfriend who is called Marie-Chantal.
Victor va nous prĂ©senter sa nouvelle copine qui sâappelle Marie-Chantal. Victor is going to show us his new girlfriend who is called Marie-Chantal.
• Que replaces what’s called a direct object, usually meaning ‘that’ or ‘what’. It is followed by a subject.
Câest une jolie maison que Victor a achetĂ©e en 1842. It’s a pretty house that Victor bought in 1842.
Victor va nous présenter sa nouvelle copine que personne ne connaßt. Victor is going to show us his new girlfriend that nobody knows.
Victor va nous présenter sa nouvelle copine que personne ne connaßt. Victor is going to show us his new girlfriend that nobody knows.
• Que can also mark a new clause which joins with the main verb. Grammatically, this is called a subordinate clause.
Je sais que tu viendras I know (that) you will come.
Je pense que tu as raison I think (that) you’re right.
Je pense que tu as raison I think (that) you’re right.
Note:
• Que becomes quâ when followed by a vowel.
• Que becomes quâ when followed by a vowel.
Victor va nous prĂ©senter sa nouvelle copine quâil a rencontrĂ©e hier. Victor is going to show us his new girlfriend that he met yesterday.
• Qui doesn’t always replace a person, and que doesn’t always replace a thing.
La voiture que jâai achetĂ©e. The car that I bought.
La voiture qui me plaĂźt. The car that I like.
Lâhomme que jâaime. The man (that) I love.
Lâhomme qui est dans mon lit. The man who is in my bed.
La voiture qui me plaĂźt. The car that I like.
Lâhomme que jâaime. The man (that) I love.
Lâhomme qui est dans mon lit. The man who is in my bed.
Learn more about French grammar with us. Still having difficulties with 'Relative pronouns: qui and que'? Want to improve your French? Test our online French lessons and receive a free level assessment!
What our users say:
Looking to improve French for beginners? Frantastique provides effective and fun training!
Tips for learning 'Relative pronouns: qui and que'? Share them with us!