French Basic Grammar: QUI or QUE in French

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:

  • C’est le garçon qui parle. → This is the boy who is speaking.

  • J’ai une amie qui habite Ă  Paris. → I have a friend who lives in Paris.

  • VoilĂ  un film qui est très intĂ©ressant. → 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:

  • Le livre que je lis est passionnant. → The book that I’m reading is fascinating.

  • C’est la chanson que tu adores. → That’s the song that you love.

  • Voici la fille que Paul connaĂ®t. → 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

  • QUI = subject → comes before a verb.

    • C’est moi qui dĂ©cide. → It’s me who decides.

  • QUE = object → comes before a subject + verb.

    • C’est moi que tu cherches. → It’s me that you’re looking for.


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

  • QUI → subject (who/that + verb)

  • QUE → object (who/that + subject + verb)


🎯 Practice Exercise

Fill in the blanks with qui or que:

  1. J’ai un voisin ___ est médecin.

  2. Voici le film ___ tu aimes.

  3. C’est une ville ___ attire beaucoup de touristes.

  4. La robe ___ elle porte est très belle.

  5. C’est le professeur ___ nous explique la leçon.

Answers:

  1. qui

  2. que

  3. qui

  4. que

  5. 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

Leave a Comment