French grammar explained
C’est vs Il est in French What’s the difference?
If you are learning French, the difference between c’est and il est can be confusing because both can translate as “it is” in English.
Use c’est to identify or present someone or something. Use il est or elle est to describe a person or thing that is already known.
When to use “c’est” in French
You usually use c’est when you want to say “this is”, “that is”, or “it is” to identify something or introduce someone.
Use “c’est” with a noun
When the sentence continues with a noun or a noun group, French usually uses c’est.
He is a teacher. / This is a teacher.
Use c’est because un professeur is a noun group.
It is a good idea.
Use c’est before une bonne idée.
Use “c’est” to introduce a person
You can also use c’est before a name or when you present someone.
It is Marie. / This is Marie.
Use c’est to identify or present someone.
This is my friend Paul.
Use c’est because you are presenting someone.
When to use “il est” or “elle est” in French
You usually use il est or elle est to describe a person or thing that is already known.
Use “il est” or “elle est” with an adjective
When you describe a specific person, use il est for masculine and elle est for feminine.
He is kind.
Use il est because you are describing him.
She is intelligent.
Use elle est because you are describing her.
Use “il est” or “elle est” with a profession without an article
In French, professions often appear without an article after il est or elle est.
He is a doctor.
No article after il est with a profession.
She is a teacher.
Use elle est with the profession alone.
“C’est” vs “il est”: the simple rule
Identify
Use c’est to identify or present someone or something.
Describe
Use il est or elle est to describe a known person or thing.
Profession
Use il est médecin, but c’est un médecin.
Use “c’est”
- before a noun;
- before a name;
- to introduce someone;
- to identify something.
Use “il est / elle est”
- before an adjective;
- with professions without article;
- with nationalities;
- to describe someone already known.
English speakers often want to translate “he is a teacher” word for word and say il est un professeur. But in basic French, this sounds unnatural.
Unnatural
Il est un professeur.
Natural French
But if you add an article or describe the noun, use c’est.
He is a good teacher.
Use c’est because un bon professeur is a noun group.
Professions and nationalities
With professions and nationalities, French often uses il est or elle est without an article.
She is French.
Use elle est with a nationality.
He is Canadian.
Use il est with a nationality.
Complete the sentences with c’est, il est, or elle est.
- ___ un médecin.
- ___ médecin.
- ___ très gentille.
- ___ Marie.
- ___ une bonne idée.
Answer key
- C’est — before a noun group: un médecin
- Il est or Elle est — profession without article
- Elle est — feminine adjective: gentille
- C’est — to identify a person
- C’est — before a noun group: une bonne idée
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FAQ
What is the difference between c’est and il est in French?
C’est is usually used to identify or present someone or something. Il est or elle est is usually used to describe a person or thing that is already known.
Do you say “c’est un professeur” or “il est un professeur”?
You normally say c’est un professeur or il est professeur. In basic French, il est un professeur sounds unnatural.
Why is it “il est professeur” and not “il est un professeur”?
After il est or elle est, professions are often used without an article. That is why French says il est professeur.
Can “c’est” mean “he is” or “she is”?
Yes. In English, c’est un professeur can translate as “he is a teacher” or “she is a teacher”, depending on the context.
Do you use c’est or il est with adjectives?
For a simple description of a known person, use il est or elle est: il est gentil, elle est intelligente.
What is “cest” without the apostrophe?
Cest is simply c’est written without the apostrophe. The correct French spelling is c’est.
