Pronoms Relatifs — qui, que, où, dont
Use the four core relative pronouns: qui (subject), que (direct object, triggers past participle agreement with avoir), où (place and time), dont (de + anything: avoir besoin de, parler de, se souvenir de).
A lesson of French B1 — Intermediate, in Grammaire Complexe, about 10 minutes.
Les Pronoms Relatifs — qui, que, où, dont
By the end of this lesson, you will use the four core relative pronouns to join clauses and produce complex, natural-sounding sentences.
Why Relative Pronouns Matter
Relative pronouns allow you to combine two short sentences into one elegant construction — a key feature of B1 level writing and speech. Without them, French sounds choppy and elementary.
J'ai un ami. Il parle six langues. → J'ai un ami qui parle six langues. I have a friend who speaks six languages.
Qui — The Subject
Qui replaces a subject in the relative clause (the noun performing the action). It is equivalent to English "who" or "which/that" for subjects.
Le professeur qui enseigne le français est très strict. The teacher who teaches French is very strict.
Voici le livre qui m'a inspiré. Here is the book that inspired me.
Key rule: Qui is never abbreviated before a vowel — qui est stays qui est, not qu'est.
Que — The Direct Object
Que replaces a direct object (the noun receiving the action). It is equivalent to English "whom" or "which/that" for objects.
La femme que j'ai rencontrée est avocate. The woman (whom) I met is a lawyer.
C'est le film que tu m'as recommandé. It's the film (that) you recommended to me.
Past participle agreement: When que precedes a passé composé with avoir, the past participle agrees with the noun que refers to. La femme que j'ai rencontrée (feminine singular — agrees with femme).
Check: Choose qui or que — Le café _____ sert des crêpes est au coin de la rue. → qui (the café is the subject — it serves crêpes).