âť“ When to Use QUI or QUE in French?
In French, qui and que are relative pronouns (pronoms relatifs). They are used to link two parts of a sentence, just like “who, that, which” in English.
The choice between qui and que depends on the role the pronoun plays in the sentence: subject or object.
1. Use QUI = When It Is the Subject
👉 Qui replaces the subject (the person or thing doing the action).
It is always followed by a verb.
Examples:
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C’est le garçon qui parle. → This is the boy who is speaking.
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J’ai une amie qui habite à Paris. → I have a friend who lives in Paris.
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Voilà un film qui est très intéressant. → Here is a movie that is very interesting.
✅ Trick: If the English relative pronoun is followed by a verb (“who is, that works”), you need qui.
2. Use QUE = When It Is the Object
👉 Que replaces the direct object of the verb (the person or thing receiving the action).
It is always followed by a subject + verb.
Examples:
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Le livre que je lis est passionnant. → The book that I’m reading is fascinating.
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C’est la chanson que tu adores. → That’s the song that you love.
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Voici la fille que Paul connaît. → Here is the girl whom Paul knows.
✅ Trick: If the English relative pronoun is followed by a subject (“that I read, who she knows”), you need que.
3. QUI vs QUE: A Simple Formula
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QUI = subject → comes before a verb.
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C’est moi qui décide. → It’s me who decides.
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QUE = object → comes before a subject + verb.
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C’est moi que tu cherches. → It’s me that you’re looking for.
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4. Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Le livre qui je lis → ✅ Le livre que je lis
❌ La fille que parle → ✅ La fille qui parle
👉 Remember: look carefully at the role in the sentence (subject or object).
âś… Quick Recap
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QUI → subject (who/that + verb)
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QUE → object (who/that + subject + verb)
🎯 Practice Exercise
Fill in the blanks with qui or que:
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J’ai un voisin ___ est médecin.
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Voici le film ___ tu aimes.
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C’est une ville ___ attire beaucoup de touristes.
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La robe ___ elle porte est très belle.
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C’est le professeur ___ nous explique la leçon.
Answers:
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qui
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que
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qui
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que
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qui
Conclusion
The choice between qui and que in French depends on whether the pronoun is the subject (qui) or the *object (que). Once you ask yourself “Who is doing the action?”, it becomes much easier to decide.
👉 Pro tip: Try rewriting your sentences in English. If the relative pronoun is followed by a verb, use qui. If it’s followed by a subject, use que.
TAGS
- French grammar qui vs que
- When to use qui or que in French
- French relative pronouns with examples
- Difference between qui and que French
- French beginner grammar relative clauses