French · Greetings & Essentials
"This" in French: ça
ça
Note: before a noun: ce/cette
This as a standalone idea in French is often ça: c'est ça, je veux ça. Before a noun use ce / cet / cette: ce livre, cette robe. Ça is the everyday pronoun pointing at something.
Choosing a pastry
Je prends ça, le croissant du milieu.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce ça
Say it
sah
/sa/
Ça: sah. Soft s; à like ah. Same sound as sa (her) — spelling differs.
"This" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| ça | this / that / it Standalone pronoun. | Standalone pronoun. |
| c'est ça | that's it / that's right Confirming. | Confirming. |
| comme ça | like this / that way Manner. | Manner. |
| ce / cette | this / that + noun Before a noun. | Before a noun. |
How to use ça in real life
- 1Choosing a pastry
Je prends ça, le croissant du milieu.
I'll take this — the croissant in the middle.
Ça pointing.
- 2Confirming
C'est ça, tu as bien compris.
That's it — you understood correctly.
C'est ça.
- 3Showing how
Fais ça doucement, sinon ça casse.
Do this gently or it breaks.
Ça as object.
Mistakes English speakers make with ça
Incorrect: Je veux this.
Correct: Je veux ça.
Use ça for standalone this.
Incorrect: Ça livre est bien.
Correct: Ce livre est bien.
Before a noun use ce/cette, not ça.
Good to know
Ça is everywhere in speech; cela is more formal or written. Learners mix ça and ce — remember: ça stands alone, ce needs a noun.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Picking a gift
ChatPal
Tu aimes ça, ce foulard ?
Do you like this — this scarf?
You
Oui, ça me plaît beaucoup.
Yes — I like this a lot.
ChatPal
Alors on prend ça.
Then we'll take this.
You
Parfait, merci.
Perfect, thanks.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"This" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "This" in French
How do you say this in French?
Ça alone; ce/cette before a noun.
Ça or ce?
Ça stands alone; ce/cet/cette comes before a noun.
What does c'est ça mean?
That's it / that's right.
How do you pronounce ça?
sah.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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