Relative · qui / que / où
qui = the SUBJECT of the sub-clause (the person who…). que = the OBJECT (the book that I…). où = a place or a time. Use to join two sentences.
Examples
- L'homme qui parle est mon père.The man who is talking is my father.
- Le livre que je lis est intéressant.The book that I'm reading is interesting.
How it works
Relative pronouns glue two clauses into one — "the X that / who / where Y". Which one you need depends on the ROLE the noun plays inside its own clause.
Qui
the noun is the SUBJECT of the relative clause, the one doing the action:
(the man IS talking → subject → qui)
(the book is the subject of est)
Que
the noun is the OBJECT of the relative clause, the one receiving the action:
(I am reading the book → object → que)
OÙ — a place, or a specific time:
(où also covers "when" with time nouns like jour, moment, année)
Elision
que → qu' before a vowel or mute h. qui never elides.
How to decide
Often missed
English lets you drop "that" — "the book I read". French does not. que is compulsory:
(never "Le livre je lis")
dont ("of which / whose"), ce qui / ce que, and lequel are the next step, in Relatifs · dont / lequel.
What you'll practise
1. qui (subject)
When the relative pronoun is the SUBJECT of its clause (does the action).
- L'ami qui vient ce soir…The friend who's coming tonight…
2. que (object)
When the relative pronoun is the OBJECT of its clause (receives the action).
- Le film que j'ai vu.The movie that I saw.
3. où (place / time)
Where (place) OR when (a specific time, e.g. 'le jour où').
- La ville où j'habite.The city where I live.
- Le jour où je suis arrivé.The day I arrived.
4. qu' before vowel
que → qu' before a vowel or mute h. qui never elides.
- Le film qu'il regarde.The movie he's watching.
Practise it until it sticks
Short drills built on these 4 skills, with instant feedback on every answer. Free to start.