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A1 French Word Pair

C'est vs Il est: Two Ways to Say He Is

c'est vs il est

0:54 min video · 3 sentences · 3 key words

Transcript with English

Hide the English to test yourself.
  1. C’est Hugo, mon collègue.It's Hugo, my colleague.
  2. Il est grand et sympa.He is tall and nice.
  3. C’est un bon gâteau !It's a good cake!

About this lesson

Three short moments show when to use c'est and when to use il est in French. One word fits each sentence.

How to practise

  1. Before each example plays, pick the word that fits and say your answer out loud.
  2. Read the difference card, then repeat every example in the À toi · Your turn pause.
  3. At the end, check the common mistake so you never make it again.

The difference: c'est vs il est

  • c'est it is, this is. Before a name, a noun with article, or a comment.
  • il est he is. Before an adjective or job to describe a person.

Common mistake: Il est Hugo. ✗ · C'est Hugo. ✓ (Use c'est to introduce a person by name.)

Which one fits?

Say the missing word out loud first, then open the answer.

  1. ＿＿ Hugo, mon collègue.

    C'est / Il est · Introducing a person by name

    Show the answer

    C’est Hugo, mon collègue.

    It's Hugo, my colleague.

  2. ＿＿ grand et sympa.

    C'est / Il est · Describing a person with adjectives

    Show the answer

    Il est grand et sympa.

    He is tall and nice.

  3. ＿＿ un bon gâteau !

    C'est / Il est · General comment on food, not described

    Show the answer

    C’est un bon gâteau !

    It's a good cake!

Key words

FrenchEnglishLevel
c'estit is, this is
il esthe is
collèguecolleague

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