Question 1

Why do we use ce here instead of cet?

Accepted Answer

Ce is the demonstrative adjective for masculine nouns starting with a consonant. You only use cet for masculine nouns that start with a vowel or a silent H, like cet oiseau. Since chapeau starts with a consonant, it takes ce.

Question 2

Does ce mean this or that?

Accepted Answer

It can mean both! French does not usually distinguish between this and that. If you really need to point out this hat right here instead of that hat over there, you can add -ci or -là to the end of the noun, making it ce chapeau-ci or ce chapeau-là.

Question 3

How would this sentence change if I were talking about a feminine noun, like a shirt (une chemise)?

Accepted Answer

Both the demonstrative adjective and the describing adjective would need to change to their feminine forms. The sentence would become Cette chemise est vraiment laide. Ce changes to cette, and laid gets an e at the end to become laide.

Question 4

Is laid the most common word for ugly in spoken French?

Accepted Answer

Laid is the standard word, but in everyday spoken French, you will hear the word moche all the time. It means the exact same thing, but it is slightly more informal and works for both masculine and feminine nouns without changing its spelling.

Ce chapeau est vraiment laid.

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