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Cet ordinateur est rapide.

Cet ordinateur est rapide.
This computer is fast.
FromLesson 8inHardcore French

Breakdown of Cet ordinateur est rapide.

être
to be
rapide
fast
l'ordinateur
the computer
cet
this

Questions & Answers about Cet ordinateur est rapide.

What does the demonstrative adjective cet mean, and why is it used in this sentence?
Cet means "this" in English when referring to a masculine singular noun that begins with a vowel sound (or a mute h). Since ordinateur is masculine and starts with a vowel sound, French uses cet instead of the regular ce to ensure smoother pronunciation.
What is the grammatical structure of the sentence Cet ordinateur est rapide?

The sentence follows a simple structure:

  1. Subject: Cet ordinateur (this computer)
  2. Linking Verb: est (is), which is the third-person singular of être (to be)
  3. Predicate Adjective: rapide (fast)
    Together, these elements form a descriptive statement about the subject.
Why is the adjective rapide placed after the verb est rather than before the noun?
In French, when using the verb être as a linking verb to describe the subject, the adjective is placed after the verb. This pattern is common with predicate adjectives, which follow être to describe the subject’s state or quality, as seen in Cet ordinateur est rapide.
Does the adjective rapide change its form based on gender or number?
In the singular, rapide remains unchanged for both masculine and feminine nouns. However, when the noun is plural, an s is usually added to form rapides. In this sentence, since ordinateur is singular, rapide stays the same.
How can I tell that ordinateur is a masculine noun?
While many French noun genders must be memorized, context can often help. Here, ordinateur appears with the demonstrative adjective cet, which is only used for masculine singular nouns that begin with a vowel sound. This clearly indicates that ordinateur is masculine.
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“How does grammatical gender work in French?”
Every French noun is either masculine or feminine, and this affects the articles and adjectives used with it. "Le" is used with masculine nouns and "la" with feminine ones. Adjectives also change form to match — for example, "petit" (masc.) becomes "petite" (fem.).

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