The meaning of the each are same, but which one is used in what condition?
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Welcome to FSE. Please note the correct spelling: celui-là.– DimitrisOct 13, 2020 at 12:35
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2I know but i don't have that letter on my keyboard.– user25539Oct 13, 2020 at 12:38
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I don't know which keyboard you use. The following question could be helpful: french.stackexchange.com/questions/30101/…– DimitrisOct 13, 2020 at 13:34
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With a QWERTY keyboard I would suggest (valid for the Windows and Ubuntu operational systems alike) the International Keyboard. You can type very efficiently all the accents (not only for the French language; I use it, for instance, to type German diacritics as well). It suffices to learn some shortcuts and voilà. Everything is thoroughly explained in the following link: sites.psu.edu/symbolcodes/windows/codeint For Ubuntu users see wikihow.com/Change-Keyboard-Layout-in-Ubuntu– DimitrisOct 13, 2020 at 13:35
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For Mac users see: support.apple.com/kb/PH25643?locale=en_US– DimitrisOct 13, 2020 at 13:35
1 Answer
The meaning is very close between celui-ci and celui-là. In theory, the first one is for things closer than the second one but this nuance is not always respected. We often just favor celui-là because celui-ci is formal.
The third one (ceci) has a different meaning.
They are close to the English: this one (celui-ci, formal) , that one (celui-là) and this (ceci, formal).
You are missing cela (formal) and ça for the English that.
Ça can be used for either "this" or "that" so C'est quoi, ça ? means What's this? or What's that? depending on the context.
Note that celui is masculine singular and must agree with what it refers to, e.g.:
celui-ci, celle-ci, ceux-ci, celles-ci
On the other hand, ceci, cela and ça are invariable.