ceci: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal/Literary
Quick answer
What does “ceci” mean?
A French demonstrative pronoun meaning 'this'.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A French demonstrative pronoun meaning 'this'.
Used primarily in French phrases adopted into English, most notably in the expression "Ceci n'est pas une pipe." It retains its demonstrative force ('this thing here').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences; usage in both varieties is limited to the same highly specialised, French-derived context.
Connotations
Connotes high culture, art historical reference (specifically to Magritte's painting "La Trahison des Images"), or deliberate Gallic sophistication.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both dialects, marginally higher in academic or artistic discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “ceci” in a Sentence
Ceci [copula] [negation] [indefinite article] [noun].Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in art history, semiotics, philosophy, or French literature when discussing Magritte or linguistic representation.
Everyday
Not used in everyday English conversation.
Technical
May appear in technical discussions of semiotics or conceptual art.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “ceci”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “ceci”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “ceci”
- Attempting to use 'ceci' as a regular English word (e.g., 'Ceci book is interesting').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Ceci' is not an English word. Using it in an English sentence would be incorrect and confusing. Use 'this' instead.
It is French for 'This is not a pipe.' It is the text written on René Magritte's 1929 painting "The Treachery of Images," which depicts a pipe. The phrase highlights that the painting is a representation of a pipe, not an actual pipe.
It is used identically in both, but only within the specific context of quoting or discussing the French phrase from Magritte's work. It is not part of the general English lexicon.
English speakers typically approximate the French pronunciation as /səˈsiː/ (suh-SEE) in British English and /səˈsi/ (suh-SEE) in American English, since it is treated as a foreign borrowing.
A French demonstrative pronoun meaning 'this'.
Ceci is usually formal/literary in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “"Ceci n'est pas une pipe." (This is not a pipe.)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'Say-See' – you 'say' 'see' to point out 'this' specific thing.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE REPRESENTATION IS NOT THE THING (as in Magritte's painting).
Practice
Quiz
In what context would an English speaker most likely encounter the word 'ceci'?