c'est
See also: Appendix:Variations of "cest"
French
Alternative forms
- c (abbreviation, text messages, internet)
Etymology
A contraction of ce (“it, this”) and est (“is”), the third-person singular indicative present form of être (“to be”).
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /s‿ɛ/, (before a vowel or mute h) /s‿ɛt‿/
Audio: (file) - Homophone: s'est
- Rhymes: -ɛ
Contraction
c'est
- it is (used to define the preceding word)
- Le temps, c'est de l'argent. ― Time is money.
- it is (used to introduce a focus)
- this is
Derived terms
Louisiana Creole
Etymology
From French c'est (“it is”), compare Haitian Creole se.
Verb
c'est
- to be
References
- Alcée Fortier, Louisiana Folktales
Middle French
Alternative forms
- cest (older manuscripts)
Contraction
c'est