Regarde ceci : c'est une photo de ma mère.

Questions & Answers about Regarde ceci : c'est une photo de ma mère.

The lesson is about celui and celle, so why use ceci here instead of celle-ci?
We use ceci (this) when pointing to something general or not yet named in the conversation. If we had already been talking about pictures, we could say celle-ci (this one) to replace the feminine word la photo. Because we haven't introduced the noun yet, we use the neutral ceci.
Why is it Regarde and not Regardes?
This is a command, known as the imperative. For regular -er verbs like regarder, the tu form drops the final s in commands. So, the normal statement tu regardes becomes the command Regarde.
What is the difference between ceci and ça?
Ceci specifically means "this" (something close to you or about to be revealed), while cela means "that". In casual spoken French, people mostly just use the short word ça for both. However, using ceci is perfect here for drawing specific attention to an object you are showing someone right now.
Why do we say c'est une photo instead of elle est une photo?
When you introduce or identify a thing or a person using a noun with an article (like une photo), you must use c'est. You generally only use il est or elle est when they are followed by an adjective on its own.

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