How Do You Say “That Is” in French? A Complete Guide to the French Equivalents and Usage
Introduction
When learning French, one of the first challenges many students face is mastering the many ways to express “that is” in English. French offers several equivalents, each with its own nuance and grammatical function. Whether you’re writing an essay, speaking in a conversation, or trying to sound more natural in your French, knowing when to use c’est, ceci est, cela est, or c’est à dire can make a big difference. Think about it: this article will explore the correct French translations of “that is,” explain the subtle differences between them, and provide practical examples to help you use them confidently. By the end, you’ll have a solid grasp of how to say “that is” in French and will be able to choose the right expression for any context.
The Most Common French Equivalents
French does not have a single direct translation for “that is.” Instead, four main phrases are commonly used, each suited to different situations:
- C’est – This is / That is (often used with a noun that follows)
- Ceci est – This is (formal, emphasizes the thing being spoken about)
- Cela est – That is (formal, refers to something farther away or abstract)
- C’est à dire – that is to say (explanatory, used to clarify or restate)
Below, we’ll break down each phrase, its grammar, and typical usage.
1. C’est – The Everyday “This/That Is”
Basic Meaning
C’est is the most versatile and frequently used way to say “this is” or “that is” in French. It is a contraction of ce (this/that) and est (is). The noun that follows determines whether you are pointing to something near (this) or far (that).
When to Use It
- Informal conversations: C’est un bon livre. (This is a good book.)
- General statements: C’est intéressant. (That is interesting.)
- Describing people or places: C’est une belle maison. (That is a beautiful house.)
Grammar Tips
- C’est always precedes a noun.
- If the noun is feminine, you still use c’est: C’est une idée. (That is an idea.)
- After c’est, you can also use an infinitive phrase: C’est difficile de comprendre. (That is difficult to understand.)
Example Sentences
- C’est le café que j’aime. (That is the coffee I love.)
- C’est une opportunity unique. (That is a unique opportunity.)
2. Ceci est – The Formal “This Is”
Basic Meaning
Ceci est literally means “this is” and is used to identify something that is physically present or being discussed. It is more formal than c’est and often appears in written or pedagogical contexts Practical, not theoretical..
When to Use It
- In textbooks or instructional material: Ceci est un exemple. (This is an example.)
- When pointing to a specific object in front of you: Ceci est mon livre. (This is my book.)
- In formal presentations: Ceci est le résultat de l’étude. (This is the result of the study.)
Grammar Tips
- Ceci is invariable; it does not change for gender or number.
- It is always followed by a noun.
Example Sentences
- Ceci est le document que vous avez demandé. (This is the document you asked for.)
- Ceci est une méthode efficace. (This is an effective method.)
3. Cela est – The Formal “That Is”
Basic Meaning
Cela est is the counterpart to ceci est but refers to something that is not physically present or is more abstract. It can also be used to refer to a previously mentioned idea or situation.
When to Use It
- Abstract concepts: Cela est évident. (That is evident.)
- Referring to a prior statement: Cela est important à noter. (That is important to note.)
- In formal writing: Cela est nécessaire pour comprendre le contexte. (That is necessary to understand the context.)
Grammar Tips
- Like ceci, cela does not change for gender or number.
- It is always followed by a noun or a verb phrase.
Example Sentences
- Cela est un problème complexe. (That is a complex problem.)
- Cela est dû à plusieurs facteurs. (That is due to several factors.)
4. C’est à dire – “That Is to Say” (Clarification)
Basic Meaning
C’est à dire is a phrase used to clarify, restate, or explain something that was just said. It functions similarly to the English “that is to say” or “i.e.” (which is Latin). It is often used in writing to provide additional precision.
When to Use It
- In essays or reports: L’étudiant n’était pas préparé ; c’est à dire qu’il n’avait pas révisé. (The student was not prepared; that is to say, he had not studied.)
- In conversation: Il est tard, c’est à dire que nous devons partir bientôt. (It is late, that is to say, we need to leave soon.)
- In definitions: Une c’est à dire une personne qui aide les autres. (A that is to say a person who helps others.)
Grammar Tips
- C’est à dire is two words and is separated by a comma or dash when used in a sentence.
- It is never followed by a verb directly; it introduces a noun phrase or a clause.
Example Sentences
- Le projet a été annulé, c’est à dire qu’il ne verra jamais le jour. (The project was canceled, that is to say, it will never see the light of day.)
- Elle est très occupée, c’est à dire qu’elle ne peut pas répondre maintenant. (She is very busy, that is to say, she cannot answer now.)
Scientific Explanation: Why Multiple Forms Exist
The existence of several French equivalents for “that is” stems from the language’s rich grammatical tradition of distinguishing between proximity (near) and distance (far), as well as between concrete and abstract references.
- C’est grew out of the contraction of ce + est and became the default in everyday speech because it is concise and flexible.
- Ceci and cela are demonstrative adjectives that historically marked a clear distinction between something physically present (ceci) and something absent or conceptual (cela). Their formal usage persists in academic and literary contexts.
- C’est à dire derives from the older esto dicere construction, used by French scholars to render Latin explanatory phrases. Over time, it became a standard device for clarification in both spoken and written French.
Understanding these origins helps learners appreciate when each form is most appropriate, preventing the common mistake of overusing c’est in formal writing or using c’est à dire incorrectly as a simple
5. C'est-à-dire – The Modern Standard
In contemporary French, the hyphenated form c'est-à-dire has largely supplanted c’est à dire in printed materials and formal speech. Here's the thing — the hyphen signals that the expression functions as a single lexical unit, much like the Latin “i. e It's one of those things that adds up. Surprisingly effective..
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Punctuation: Insert a comma or dash before c'est-à-dire when it begins a clarifying clause, and keep the phrase intact without further punctuation inside.
Exemple : Le programme était incomplet ; c'est-à-dire qu'il omettait les étapes cruciales. -
Placement: It can appear mid‑sentence, at the start of a clause, or even at the end for emphasis.
Exemple : Nous devons revoir la stratégie, c'est-à-dire repenser nos objectifs principaux. -
Register: c'est-à-dire is acceptable in academic papers, business reports, and any context where precision is prized. It is also the preferred form in spoken French when the speaker wishes to sound polished Simple, but easy to overlook..
6. Ceci est à dire et Cela est à dire – Demonstrative Precision
While c'est-à-dire serves as a general clarifying device, the constructions ceci est à dire and cela est à dire introduce a specific demonstrative anchor. They are useful when the speaker wants to point explicitly to something nearby (ceci) or something farther away, whether physically or conceptually (cela).
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Ceci est à dire – “This is to say.”
Exemple : La baisse des ventes, ceci est à dire une réduction de 15 %, a surpris les analystes.
Here ceci foregrounds the concrete figure that follows, emphasizing its immediacy It's one of those things that adds up.. -
Cela est à dire – “That is to say.”
Exemple : Le projet a été reporté, cela est à dire à une date indéterminée.
Cela distances the explanation, often because the concept is abstract or not present in the immediate context That alone is useful..
These forms are common in legal and scientific writing, where pinpointing the exact reference is crucial. They also appear in spoken French when a speaker wishes to be especially explicit about which entity is being clarified Still holds up..
7. When Not to Use “c’est à dire” – Common Pitfalls
Even though c’est à dire is grammatically correct, it is frequently misused in ways that
