French relative pronouns are everywhere—in conversations, books, movies, and even memes. They connect two ideas into one smooth sentence, and mastering them will instantly make your French sound more natural.
If you’ve ever been confused between qui, que, dont, and lequel, this guide is for you.
Perfect for A2 to B1 level learners, this article will help you understand when and how to use these pronouns correctly, with plenty of English translations and simple examples. By the end, you’ll be able to form complex sentences without overthinking.
Let’s dive in!
1. Qui = “who” / “which” (as subject)
👉 Use qui when the relative pronoun is the subject of the verb.
Examples
- La fille qui parle est ma sœur.
(The girl who is speaking is my sister.) - J’ai un chien qui adore courir.
(I have a dog that loves running.)
🗣️ Mini Dialogue
– Tu connais le professeur qui enseigne l’histoire ?
– Oui, il est très sympa !
(– Do you know the teacher who teaches history?
– Yes, he’s really nice!)
2. Que = “whom” / “that” (as object)
👉 Use que when the pronoun is the object of the verb.
Examples
- Le film que j’ai vu était génial.
(The movie that I saw was amazing.) - Voici le livre que tu voulais.
(Here’s the book that you wanted.)
🗣️ Mini Dialogue
– C’est la chanson que tu écoutes toujours ?
– Oui, je l’adore !
(– Is that the song that you always listen to?
– Yes, I love it!)
3. Dont = “whose” / “of which” / “about which”
👉 Use dont when the verb or expression needs de.
Examples
- C’est l’ami dont je t’ai parlé.
(This is the friend I told you about.) - Elle a un frère dont la voiture est rouge.
(She has a brother whose car is red.)
🗣️ Mini Dialogue
– Tu connais le film dont tout le monde parle ?
– Oui, il est déjà sur Netflix !
(– Do you know the movie everyone is talking about?
– Yes, it’s already on Netflix!)
4. Lequel (and its forms) = “which one”
👉 Use lequel, laquelle, lesquels, lesquelles when referring back to a noun and making a choice.
Examples
- Voilà deux cafés. Lequel veux-tu ?
(Here are two coffees. Which one do you want?) - Les maisons parmi lesquelles je vis sont très différentes.
(The houses among which I live are very different.)
🗣️ Mini Dialogue
– Voici trois chemises. Laquelle préfères-tu ?
– Celle-ci, elle est parfaite !
(– Here are three shirts. Which one do you prefer?
– This one, it’s perfect!)
5. Quick Recap: How to Choose?
- Qui → subject (the one doing the action)
- Que → object (the one receiving the action)
- Dont → when the verb/expression needs de
- Lequel → which one, used for choices or clarification
This simple cheat sheet can save you a lot of hesitation while speaking.
6. Common Mistakes Learners Make
Even intermediate learners sometimes mix up relative pronouns. Here are the top traps to avoid:
Mixing up qui and que
- Wrong: Le film qui j’ai vu…
- Correct: Le film que j’ai vu…
Forgetting “dont” when the verb needs de
- Wrong: C’est l’homme que je me souviens.
- Correct: C’est l’homme dont je me souviens.
Avoiding lequel because it feels too formal
In reality, lequel is common and very useful when multiple options are possible.
7. 🧠 Practice Challenge
Try completing these sentences with the right relative pronoun:
- Voilà l’homme ____ a téléphoné hier.
- C’est le livre ____ j’ai besoin.
- Elle a une amie ____ le père est médecin.
- Tu veux voir le film ____ tout le monde parle ?
- Voilà trois options. ____ choisis-tu ?
- Voici une étudiante ____ travaille très dur.
- J’ai trouvé les clés ____ tu cherchais.
- Paris est une ville ____ je rêve depuis longtemps.
✅ Answers: 1. qui 2. dont 3. dont 4. dont 5. Lequel 6. qui 7. que 8. dont
8. How Native Speakers Use Them Naturally
When listening to French conversations, movies, or YouTube videos, you’ll notice:
- Qui and que are used constantly, sometimes even in very short, casual sentences.
- Dont adds richness and is often used in storytelling.
- Lequel is more common in formal speech or when clarifying details.
👉 Tip: Try shadowing (repeating after) native speakers to get used to the rhythm of sentences with relative pronouns.
9. Pro Tips for Faster Learning
✔️ Write two short sentences, then combine them using qui, que, dont, or lequel.
✔️ Highlight verbs that use de (like parler de, se souvenir de, avoir besoin de). These will help you know when to use dont.
✔️ Practice with songs and news articles—French media is full of relative pronouns.
10. Why Relative Pronouns Matter
Learning relative pronouns is not just a grammar exercise. They help you:
- Speak more fluidly without stopping.
- Write more complex and elegant sentences.
- Understand native-level French in books, films, or online content.
Instead of sounding like a beginner with very short sentences, you’ll sound more like a confident French speaker.
🎓 Final Tip
Relative pronouns are a must if you want to sound fluent in French. Instead of making two short, simple sentences, you can connect them into one natural idea—just like native speakers do.
👉 Example:
- J’ai un frère. Il habite à Lyon.
→ J’ai un frère qui habite à Lyon.
It’s a small change, but it makes your French smoother, more advanced, and way less “textbook.”
Keep practicing with albert learning by listening to French songs, reading short articles, or even trying to rewrite your own sentences with relative pronouns with our teachers.
