Difference between "ce qui" and "ce que" in French

When learning French, distinguishing between "ce qui" and "ce que" can be tricky for English speakers. Both expressions are used to introduce relative clauses, but they serve different grammatical functions. Let's break down their usage and provide some clear examples.

"Ce qui" - Subject Relative Pronoun

"Ce qui" is used when the relative pronoun is the subject of the relative clause. It can be translated as "what" or "that which" in English.

Example:

• Ce qui me plaît, c'est la cuisine française. (What I like is French cuisine.)

"Ce que" - Object Relative Pronoun

"Ce que" is used when the relative pronoun is the direct object of the relative clause. It's also translated as "what" or "that which" in English.

Example:

• Je ne comprends pas ce que tu dis. (I don't understand what you're saying.)

Key Differences

The main difference lies in the grammatical role within the relative clause:

• "Ce qui" is followed by a verb because it's the subject.
• "Ce que" is followed by a subject + verb because it's the object.

Examples in Context

1. Ce qui est important, c'est d'étudier régulièrement. (What's important is to study regularly.)
2. Ce que j'aime le plus en France, c'est la culture. (What I like most about France is the culture.)

Remember, if you can replace the phrase with "the thing that" in English and it's followed directly by a verb, use "ce qui". If it's followed by a subject and then a verb, use "ce que".

By mastering the use of "ce qui" and "ce que", you'll be able to express complex ideas more clearly in French and better understand native speakers.