C'est and il est
Two ways to say "it is" or "he is".
Both c'est and il est (or elle est) translate as "it is", "he is" or "she is". Which one you use depends on what follows.
| c'est, ce sont | il est, elle est, ils sont, elles sont |
|---|---|
| a noun with an article or a possessive: C'est un ami. C'est mon frère. | an adjective about a person or thing already named: Il est grand. Elle est intelligente. |
| a name: C'est Paul. | a job, nationality or religion without an article: Il est médecin. Elle est française. |
| a stressed pronoun: C'est moi. | the time: Il est midi. |
| a masculine adjective about a whole situation: C'est beau ! C'est facile. |
C'est un médecin and Il est médecin say the same thing; the article decides. Ce sont is the plural before a plural noun, but c'est is common in speech: c'est mes amis.
Comments on a situation
c'est with a masculine adjective comments on what's just been said or seen: C'est super !, C'est difficile. Il est beau describes something masculine already named, like a coat or a man. Followed by de and an infinitive, speech uses c'est: C'est difficile de parler français. Formal French says il est difficile de.
Stressing one part
c'est … qui and c'est … que put one part of a sentence in focus: C'est moi qui paie "I'm the one paying", C'est à Paris que j'habite "It's Paris I live in".
Cards from this guide
7 cardsEach card asks about one thing this guide teaches, and its back gives the answer with why and an example. They're reviewed with the rest of the Sentences cards.
Which do you use before a noun with an article: c'est or il est?
c'est: C'est un ami.
How do you say "He's a doctor" with il?
Il est médecin, with no article.
How do you say "That's easy!" about a task?
C'est facile !
What's c'est before a plural noun?
ce sont.
How do you ask "Who is it?"
Qui est-ce ?
How do you say "I'm the one who's paying"?
C'est moi qui paie.
How do you say "It's important to sleep" in everyday French?
C'est important de dormir.