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

1. it is (used to define the preceding word)

   Le temps, c’est de l’argent. ― Time is money.

2. it is (used to introduce a focus)
3. this is

Derived terms

• n’est-ce pas
• qu’est-ce que c’est

Louisiana Creole

Etymology

From French c’est (“it is”), compare Haitian Creole se.

Verb

c'est

1. to be

References

• Alcée Fortier, Louisiana Folktales

Middle French

Alternative forms

• cest (older manuscripts)

Contraction

c'est

1. it is