❓ 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.

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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 à Paris. → I have a friend who lives in Paris.

• 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.

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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 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.

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3. QUI vs QUE: A Simple Formula

• QUI = subject → comes before a verb.

  • C’est moi qui décide. → 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.

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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).

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✅ Quick Recap

• QUI → subject (who/that + verb)

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

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🎯 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

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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.