Look at these sentences using qui:
Note that qui is used to express both singular and plural which/who, just like in English.
Knowing when to use qui and when to use que can be tricky for English speakers, as we often mistakenly think qui only means who, but it can be used to refer to inanimate objects as well as people.
How to use qui (instead of que) in French
There's an easy pattern to spot when deciding between qui and que to say who, that or which:
Use qui when the following word is a verb or reflexive /object pronoun (e.g. me, te, se, lui, le, la, nous, vous, leur, les, etc), and use que if the following word is a noun (thing or person).
Replacing objects and people with qui
Here are examples of sentences being changed so that people and objects are replaced with relative pronouns in both French and English:
I'm reading a book. A book is called "Pride and Prejudice" -> I'm reading a book which/that is called "Pride and Prejudice".
Marie knows Julien. Julien plays guitar. -> Marie knows Julien who plays guitar.
ATTENTION:
Qui never becomes qu' in front of a vowel or mute h: only the letter e can be omitted for pronunciation in this case!
See also the more advanced lessons:
À + qui, auquel, à laquelle = to whom, what, which (French Relative Pronouns)
Want to make sure your French sounds confident? We’ll map your knowledge and give you free lessons to focus on your gaps and mistakes. Start your Brainmap today »
Learn more about these related French grammar topics
Examples and resources
Qui s'en va sifflant, soufflant,
Dans les grands sapins verts, oh !Long live the winter wind,
that goes whistling, blowing,
through the big green pine trees, oh!
(Jean-Jacques Rousseau)It's the imagination that extends for us the measure of what's possible, and feeds desires with the hope of satisfying them.
(Jean-Jacques Rousseau)
Qui siffle dans les branches...And all above the wind,
Which whistles in the branches...