French Relative Pronouns: "Qui," "Que," "Dont," and More
Mastering relative pronouns in French is like unlocking a hidden door to fluency. These small but mighty words allow you to connect sentences smoothly, avoid repetition, and express yourself more precisely. Yet, for many learners, using qui, que, dont, lequel, and other French relative pronouns correctly can be a real challenge. When do you use qui instead of que? What’s the deal with dont? And why does lequel even exist?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down the main French relative pronouns with clear explanations, examples, and tips to help you master them. By the end, you’ll be able to use them naturally and confidently in conversations and writing.
What Are French Relative Pronouns?
Relative pronouns are words that connect two clauses by replacing a noun. They help avoid repetition and create more fluid sentences. In English, we use words like who, which, that, whose, and whom. French has its own equivalents, but they don’t always work the same way.
Here are the most common French relative pronouns:
Qui (who, which, that)
Que (whom, which, that)
Dont (whose, of which, about which)
Lequel (which)
Où (where, in which, when)
Let’s take a closer look at how each of these functions.
1. "Qui" – The Subject Pronoun
Qui is used as the subject of the relative clause. It replaces a person or thing that is performing the action.
✅ Examples:
J’ai un ami qui parle cinq langues. (I have a friend who speaks five languages.)
Le livre qui est sur la table appartient à Marie. (The book that is on the table belongs to Marie.)
C’est un film qui m’a beaucoup plu. (It’s a movie that I really liked.)
Key Rule:
Since qui is the subject, it is always followed by a verb.
❌ Common Mistake:
J’ai un ami que parle cinq langues. (Incorrect)
J’ai un ami qui parle cinq langues. (Correct)
2. "Que" – The Object Pronoun
Que replaces the direct object of the relative clause.
✅ Examples:
Le film que j’ai regardé était incroyable. (The movie that I watched was incredible.)
La femme que tu as vue est ma sœur. (The woman whom you saw is my sister.)
C’est une chanson que j’adore. (It’s a song that I love.)
Key Rule:
Since que replaces the object, it is followed by a subject and verb.
❌ Common Mistake:
Le film qui j’ai regardé était incroyable. (Incorrect)
Le film que j’ai regardé était incroyable. (Correct)
3. "Dont" – Replacing "de" + Object
Dont is used when the verb or phrase in the sentence requires "de."
✅ Examples:
C’est l’homme dont je t’ai parlé. (He’s the man I told you about.)
Voici le livre dont j’ai besoin. (Here is the book that I need.)
Le film dont je me souviens est très émouvant. (The movie that I remember is very moving.)
When to Use "Dont"
Use dont when the verb or expression before it requires de:
Parler de (to talk about)
Avoir besoin de (to need)
Se souvenir de (to remember)
4. "Lequel" – The More Specific "Which"
Lequel (which) replaces objects of prepositions (except "de"). Unlike qui, que, and dont, it agrees in gender and number.
✅ Forms of "Lequel":
Singular: lequel (m.), laquelle (f.)
Plural: lesquels (m.), lesquelles (f.)
✅ Examples:
Voilà la chaise sur laquelle je me suis assis. (Here is the chair on which I sat.)
Les livres parmi lesquels j’ai choisi sont fascinants. (The books among which I chose are fascinating.)
Key Rule:
Use lequel when referring to things (not people) after prepositions like avec, sur, sous, parmi.
5. "Où" – The Where/When Pronoun
Où is used for places or time.
✅ Examples:
La ville où je suis né est magnifique. (The city where I was born is beautiful.)
C’était le jour où nous nous sommes rencontrés. (That was the day when we met.)
L’hôtel où nous avons séjourné était luxueux. (The hotel where we stayed was luxurious.)
Final Comparison Table
PronounUsageExampleQuiSubject of the verbL’homme qui parle est mon père. (The man who is speaking is my father.)QueDirect objectLe livre que j’ai acheté est intéressant. (The book that I bought is interesting.)DontVerbs with "de"Le professeur dont j’ai parlé est célèbre. (The teacher I talked about is famous.)LequelObject of prepositionLes villes parmi lesquelles j’ai voyagé sont superbes. (The cities among which I traveled are amazing.)OùPlaces/timeL’école où j’ai étudié est grande. (The school where I studied is big.)
Conclusion: Mastering French Relative Pronouns
Understanding and correctly using qui, que, dont, lequel, and où is a huge step toward fluency in French. Here’s a quick way to remember:
Qui = Subject
Que = Object
Dont = "De" expressions
Lequel = After prepositions
Où = Places/time
Now it’s your turn! Try forming sentences with these relative pronouns and drop a comment below with your examples. Keep practicing, and soon these pronouns will become second nature. Bonne chance ! 🇫🇷