Using C’est or S’est in French: What is the difference?

In French, “c’est” and “s’est” are two contractions that can cause confusion for beginner students. However, the difference between the two is simple.

C’est is the contraction of “ce” and “est,” meaning “it is” or “this is.” It is used to refer to a noun or a general idea, for example:

• C’est un livre. (It is a book.)
• C’est intéressant. (It’s interesting.)

S’est, on the other hand, is the contraction of “se” and “est,” meaning “himself/herself/itself is.” It is used to describe a reflexive action, where the subject of the sentence is performing the action on itself.

For example:

• Il s’est levé. (He got up.)
• Elle s’est regardée dans le miroir. (She looked at herself in the mirror.)

In conclusion, the difference between “c’est” and “s’est” in French is simply a matter of who or what is being referred to in the sentence.

Remember that “c’est” is used to describe a noun or a general idea, while “s’est” is used to describe a reflexive action performed by the subject of the sentence.

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