French Phrase
Ces vieux magazines.
Meaning
Literally, ‘These old magazines.’ It can refer to a collection of periodicals that are aged, perhaps for nostalgia, research, or recycling.
When to use
Use this phrase when pointing out or talking about a group of magazines that are not new, for example while sorting a bookshelf, describing a vintage collection, or commenting on the condition of reading material.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Cesvieuxmagazines
Demonstrative adjective (Ces)
‘Ces’ is the plural form of ‘ce’, used before a plural noun to mean ‘these’ or ‘those’.
Adjective agreement (vieux)
‘Vieux’ is the masculine plural form of ‘vieux/vieille’, agreeing in gender and number with the noun it modifies.
Noun gender and number (magazines)
‘Magazine’ is a masculine noun; its plural is ‘magazines’.
🗨In Conversation
Ces vieux magazines, tu les veux garder ou les donner ?
These old magazines, do you want to keep them or give them away?
Je les donne à la bibliothèque, ils ont encore des articles intéressants.
I'll give them to the library; they still have interesting articles.
✕Common Mistakes
Ces vieux magazine.
The noun must be plural to match ‘Ces’ and ‘vieux’.
Ces vieilles magazines.
‘Magazine’ is masculine, so the adjective must be masculine plural ‘vieux’, not feminine ‘vieilles’.
Ce vieux magazines.
‘Ce’ is singular; you need the plural demonstrative ‘Ces’ for a plural noun.
↔Alternatives
Ces magazines anciens.
These ancient magazines.
Ces vieux revues.
These old periodicals.
Ces magazines d'époque.
These period magazines.
Cultural Tip
In French, ‘magazine’ can refer to both glossy consumer magazines and more specialized journals. When speaking about vintage or collectible issues, you might also hear ‘édition’ (edition) or ‘numéro’ (issue). Be aware that ‘vieux’ can sound slightly informal; for a more formal tone, use ‘anciens’.