Preposition of Place in French
Whether you’re describing where you are, where something is located, or the direction of movement, understanding these prepositions is essential for effective communication.
1. À (To, At, In)
Usage:
- Indicates a general location or destination.
- Used with cities.
- Often used with public places, like stores or events.
Examples:
- Je vais à Paris. (I am going to Paris.)
- Il habite à Lyon. (He lives in Lyon.)
- Nous allons à la plage. (We are going to the beach.)
‘au’ OR ‘en’ ?
Understanding when to use “au” and “en” with countries in French involves considering the gender and characteristics of the country’s name. Here’s a breakdown:
“au” for Masculine Countries:
- Employed with masculine countries or regions.
Examples:
- Je vais au Canada. (I am going to Canada.)
- Il habite au Mexique. (He lives in Mexico.)
“en” for Feminine Countries:
- Applied with feminine countries or regions.
Examples:
- Elle voyage en France. (She is traveling to France.)
- Nous sommes en Italie. (We are in Italy.)
Special Cases:
- Plural Countries:
- For both masculine and feminine plural countries, use “aux.”
- Example: Ils vivent aux États-Unis. (They live in the United States.)
Countries Starting with a Vowel or Mute ‘H’:
For masculine countries starting with a vowel sound or a mute ‘h,’ use “en.”
- Example: Il va en Irak. (He is going to Iraq.)
- Example: Elle est en Inde. (She is in India.)
Recap:
- “Au” for Masculine Countries: Canada, Mexique, Japon, etc.
- “En” for Feminine Countries: France, Italie, Chine, etc.
- “Aux” for Plural Countries: États-Unis, Pays-Bas, Émirats arabes unis, etc.
- “En” for Masculine Vowel/Mute ‘H’ Countries: Irak, Oman, Afghanistan, etc.
- “En” for Feminine Vowel/Mute ‘H’ Countries: Inde, Égypte, Argentine, etc.
2. En (In, On)
Usage:
- Indicates location within a larger area.
- Used with feminine countries, regions, and continents. (en Asie, en Afrique, en Europe)
- Also used with means of transportation.
Examples:
- Il est en France. (He is in France.)
- Nous sommes en Europe. (We are in Europe.)
- Elle voyage en avion. (She is traveling by plane.)
3. Chez (At the House of, At the Place of)
Usage:
- Indicates someone’s house or a business.
- Used when talking about going to someone’s place or a professional setting.
Examples:
- Nous allons chez Marie. (We are going to Marie’s house.)
- Je travaille chez Microsoft. (I work at Microsoft.)
4. Sur (On)
Usage:
- Indicates location on a surface or on top of something.
- Used with flat surfaces, like tables or floors.
Examples:
- Le livre est sur la table. (The book is on the table.)
- Je suis sur le pont. (I am on the bridge.)
5. Sous (Under, Below)
Usage:
- Indicates location beneath or below something.
- Used when describing something positioned lower than another object.
Examples:
- Le chat est sous la chaise. (The cat is under the chair.)
- Il y a une rivière sous le pont. (There is a river below the bridge.)
6. Entre (Between)
Usage:
- Indicates a location between two objects or places.
- Used to describe being in the middle of two things.
Examples:
- La maison est entre les deux arbres. (The house is between the two trees.)
- Nous sommes entre Paris et Londres. (We are between Paris and London.)
7. Devant (In Front of)
Usage:
- Indicates location in front of something or someone.
- Used when describing a position relative to a person or object.
Examples:
- La voiture est devant la maison. (The car is in front of the house.)
- Il se tient devant le bureau. (He is standing in front of the desk.)
8. Derrière (Behind)
Usage:
- Indicates location behind something or someone.
- Used when describing a position relative to a person or object.
Examples:
- Le jardin est derrière la maison. (The garden is behind the house.)
- Elle marche derrière son ami. (She is walking behind her friend.)
