{"id":2773,"date":"2018-12-06T12:42:48","date_gmt":"2018-12-06T12:42:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.clozemaster.com\/blog\/?p=2773"},"modified":"2018-12-06T12:42:48","modified_gmt":"2018-12-06T12:42:48","slug":"french-prepositions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.clozemaster.com\/blog\/french-prepositions\/","title":{"rendered":"The Essential Guide to French Prepositions"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/h1>\n

Prepositions are an important part of learning any language. They link two elements of a sentence together. In English, we use prepositions such as on<\/strong>, with<\/strong>, and to\u00a0<\/strong>very frequently. These little words serve a big purpose in making sentences more meaningful and thoughts more complete.<\/p>\n

When learning French, prepositions are essential to your fluency. Without them, you can\u2019t express many coherent thoughts. You could go, Je vais<\/em> (I go), but not \u00e0<\/em><\/strong> la plage<\/em> (to<\/strong> the beach) or en<\/em><\/strong> France <\/em>(to<\/strong> France) without the help of prepositions.<\/p>\n

French prepositions can be intimidating to language learners. Students ask questions like, \u201cHow do you say \u201cin<\/strong>\u201d en fran\u00e7ais?<\/em>\u201d Unfortunately, there is no easy, one-to-one translation for this:<\/p>\n

Robert est <\/em>dans<\/em><\/strong> la classe de maths. <\/em>(Robert is in <\/strong>math class.)
\nSa m\u00e8re est <\/em>en<\/em><\/strong> France. <\/em>(His mom is in <\/strong>France.)
\nNous resterons <\/em>\u00e0<\/em><\/strong> Paris. <\/em>(We will stay in<\/strong> Paris.)<\/p>\n

How can dans<\/strong>, en<\/strong>, and \u00e0<\/strong> all mean in<\/strong>? What is this crazy French language trying to do to our brains? No worries! We will help sort it all out.<\/p>\n

Many people struggle to understand how to properly use prepositions in French. But Ne paniquez pas! <\/em>(Don\u2019t panic!) This essential guide will help lead you through some of the most common French prepositions. It will also clear up some of the questions French language learners often have when learning prepositions.<\/p>\n

Is there a list of all French prepositions? And what do they mean?<\/h2>\n

Yes! If you want to see most of the common French prepositions and their meanings, here is a list for you.<\/p>\n

Keep in mind that some of the prepositions have flexible meanings; the meaning can change depending on the context. We will clarify the more common prepositions later in this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
French Preposition<\/strong><\/td>\nEnglish Meaning<\/strong><\/td>\nExample of Use<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00e0<\/td>\nto, at, in<\/td>\nNous arriverons <\/em>\u00e0<\/em><\/strong> Paris <\/em>\u00e0<\/em><\/strong> huit heures.
\n<\/em>We will arrive in<\/strong> Paris at<\/strong> 8:00.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00e0 c\u00f4t\u00e9 de<\/td>\nnext to<\/td>\nLa banque est <\/em>\u00e0 c\u00f4t\u00e9 de<\/em><\/strong> la biblioth\u00e8que.
\n<\/em>The bank is next to<\/strong> the library.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00e0 droite de<\/td>\nto the right of<\/td>\nLe march\u00e9 est <\/em>\u00e0 droite de<\/em><\/strong> l\u2019\u00e9cole.
\n<\/em>The market is to the right of<\/strong> the school.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00e0 gauche de<\/td>\nto the left of<\/td>\nNotre maison est <\/em>\u00e0 gauche de<\/em><\/strong> votre maison.
\n<\/em>Our house is to the left of <\/strong>your house.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
apr\u00e8s<\/td>\nafter<\/td>\nJe rentre \u00e0 la maison <\/em>apr\u00e8s<\/em><\/strong> l\u2019\u00e9cole.
\n<\/em>I return to the house after<\/strong> school.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
au-dessous de<\/td>\nbelow<\/td>\nLes papiers sont <\/em>au-dessous de <\/em><\/strong>la table.
\n<\/em>The papers are below<\/strong> the table.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
au-dessus<\/td>\nabove<\/td>\nJ\u2019ai mis le tableau <\/em>au-dessus de <\/em><\/strong>mon lit.
\n<\/em>I put the painting above<\/strong> my bed.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
au sujet de<\/td>\non the subject of<\/td>\nLe professeur est tr\u00e8s intelligent <\/em>au sujet de <\/em><\/strong>l\u2019\u00e9conomie.
\n<\/em>The professor is very intelligent on the subject of <\/strong>the economy.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
avant<\/td>\nbefore<\/td>\nJ\u2019arriverai <\/em>avant<\/em><\/strong> vous.
\n<\/em>I will arrive before<\/strong> you.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
avec<\/td>\nwith<\/td>\nJe vais \u00e0 Paris <\/em>avec<\/em><\/strong> mon ami.
\n<\/em>I am going to Paris with<\/strong> my friend.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
chez<\/td>\nat the home of<\/td>\nChez<\/em><\/strong> moi, nous avons deux chiens et deux chats.
\n<\/em>At<\/strong> my house, we have two dogs and two cats.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
contre<\/td>\nagainst<\/td>\nNous avons jou\u00e9 <\/em>contre<\/em><\/strong> une \u00e9quipe forte.
\n<\/em>We played against<\/strong> a strong team.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
dans<\/td>\nin<\/td>\nElle est <\/em>dans<\/em><\/strong> la salle de s\u00e9jour.
\n<\/em>She is in<\/strong> the living room.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
d’apr\u00e8s<\/td>\naccording to<\/td>\nD\u2019apr\u00e8s<\/em><\/strong> ma m\u00e8re, mon grand-p\u00e8re \u00e9tait sympa.
\n<\/em>According to<\/strong> my mom, my grandfather was nice.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
de<\/td>\nfrom, of, about<\/td>\nJe viens <\/em>de<\/em><\/strong> Chicago.
\n<\/em>I am coming from<\/strong> Chicago.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
depuis<\/td>\nsince<\/td>\nJ\u2019apprends le francais <\/em>depuis<\/em><\/strong> 2005.
\n<\/em>I have been learning French since<\/strong> 2005.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
derri\u00e8re<\/td>\nbehind<\/td>\nLa chaise est <\/em>derri\u00e8re<\/em><\/strong> le bureau.
\n<\/em>The chair is behind<\/strong> the desk.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
devant<\/td>\nin front of<\/td>\nPaul est <\/em>devant<\/em><\/strong> le guichet.
\n<\/em>Paul is in<\/strong> front of<\/strong> the ticket booth.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
en<\/td>\nin, on, to<\/td>\nJe suis all\u00e9 <\/em>en<\/em><\/strong> Italie <\/em>en<\/em><\/strong> 2016.
\n<\/em>I went to<\/strong> Italy in<\/strong> 2016.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
en face de<\/td>\nfacing<\/td>\nLa pharmacie est <\/em>en face de <\/em><\/strong>la boulangerie.
\n<\/em>The pharmacy is facing<\/strong> the bread store.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
entre<\/td>\nbetween<\/td>\nEntre<\/em><\/strong> les deux actes, il y a un entracte.
\n<\/em>Between<\/strong> the two acts, there is an intermission.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
envers<\/td>\ntoward<\/td>\nIl \u00e9tait gentil <\/em>envers<\/em><\/strong> nous.
\n<\/em>He was nice toward<\/strong> us.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
environ<\/td>\napproximately<\/td>\nElle a <\/em>environ<\/em><\/strong> 50 montres.
\n<\/em>She has approximately<\/strong> 50 watches.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
loin de<\/td>\nfar from<\/td>\nLe supermarch\u00e9 est <\/em>loin de <\/em><\/strong>mon appartement.
\n<\/em>The supermarket is far from <\/strong>my apartment.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
malgr\u00e9<\/td>\ndespite<\/td>\nLe match de foot a continu\u00e9, <\/em>malgr\u00e9<\/em><\/strong> la pluie.
\n<\/em>The soccer game continued despite<\/strong> the rain.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
par<\/td>\nby<\/td>\nJ\u2019ai lu le livre <\/em>par<\/em><\/strong> Victor Hugo.
\n<\/em>I read the book by<\/strong> Victor Hugo.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
parmi<\/td>\namong<\/td>\nJean est respect\u00e9 <\/em>parmi<\/em><\/strong> ses copains.
\n<\/em>Jean is respected among <\/strong>his friends.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
pendant<\/td>\nduring<\/td>\nSophie a regard\u00e9 le film <\/em>pendant<\/em><\/strong> ses vacances.
\n<\/em>Sophie watched the film during<\/strong> her vacation.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
pour<\/td>\nfor<\/td>\nPierre m\u2019a donn\u00e9 un cadeau <\/em>pour<\/em><\/strong> mon anniversaire.
\n<\/em>Pierre gave me a gift for<\/strong> my birthday.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
pr\u00e8s de<\/td>\nnear<\/td>\nBordeaux n\u2019est pas <\/em>pr\u00e8s de <\/em><\/strong>Paris.
\n<\/em>Bordeaux is not near <\/strong>Paris.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
sans<\/td>\nwithout<\/td>\nIl est perdu <\/em>sans<\/em><\/strong> son chien.
\n<\/em>He is lost without<\/strong> his dog.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
sauf<\/td>\nexcept<\/td>\nTous les \u00e9l\u00e8ves ont \u00e9tudi\u00e9 pour l\u2019examen <\/em>sauf <\/em><\/strong>Marc.
\n<\/em>All the students studied for the test except<\/strong> Marc.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
selon<\/td>\naccording to<\/td>\nSelon<\/em><\/strong> le prof, l\u2019examen sera vendredi.
\n<\/em>According to <\/strong>the teacher, the test will be Friday.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
sous<\/td>\nunder<\/td>\nLe chat aime dormir <\/em>sous<\/em><\/strong> le lit.
\n<\/em>The cat loves to sleep under<\/strong> the bed.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
sur<\/td>\non<\/td>\nLe livre est <\/em>sur<\/em><\/strong> l\u2019\u00e9tag\u00e8re.
\n<\/em>The book is on<\/strong> the shelf.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
vers<\/td>\ntoward, around (time)<\/td>\nNous arriverons <\/em>vers <\/em><\/strong>neuf heures.
\n<\/em>We will arrive around<\/strong> 9:00.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Curious about how to pronounce these prepositions? Check out this helpful video: Pronouncing Common French Prepositions<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/h2>\n

Which French prepositions are the MOST common? Which ones will I use the most?<\/h2>\n

The list of all French prepositions can be a bit overwhelming, but it is a good place to begin if you\u2019re looking for a simple definition to get you started. However, you might not use all of those prepositions on a frequent basis. The most common prepositions you will encounter will probably be \u00e0 <\/em><\/strong>and de<\/em>. <\/strong><\/p>\n

How do I use the French prepositions \u00e0 <\/em>and de<\/em>?<\/h2>\n

Let\u2019s start with \u00e0<\/em>:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u00c0<\/em><\/strong> is a crucial preposition. It can mean to<\/strong>, in<\/strong>, or at<\/strong>. Mastering \u00e0 <\/em>is pretty simple.<\/p>\n

Je vais <\/em>\u00e0<\/em><\/strong> l\u2019\u00e9cole. <\/em>(I am going to<\/strong> school.)
\nJe suis <\/em>\u00e0<\/em><\/strong> l\u2019\u00e9cole. <\/em>(I am at<\/strong> school.)<\/p>\n

The meaning of \u00e0 <\/strong>changes with the context of the situation. In these examples, it makes sense to go to<\/strong> school, and it is logical to be at<\/strong> school.<\/p>\n

\u00c0 <\/em><\/strong>can be put into a contraction form, meaning \u201cto the<\/strong>.\u201d Take a look at this chart:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\u00e0 + la<\/td>\n\u00e0 la<\/td>\nElle va <\/em>\u00e0<\/em><\/strong> la<\/em><\/strong> poissonnerie.
\n<\/em>She goes to<\/strong> the<\/strong> fish store.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00e0 + l\u2019<\/td>\n\u00e0 l\u2019<\/td>\nIl est <\/em>\u00e0<\/em><\/strong> l\u2019<\/em><\/strong>universit\u00e9.
\n<\/em>He is at<\/strong> the<\/strong> university.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00e0 + le<\/td>\nau<\/td>\nNous allons <\/em>au<\/em><\/strong> mus\u00e9e.
\n<\/em>We are going to the<\/strong> museum.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00e0 + les<\/td>\naux<\/td>\nIls aiment aller <\/em>aux<\/em><\/strong> concerts.
\n<\/em>They like to go to the<\/strong> concerts.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

This important preposition is often used with common French verbs such as aller <\/em>(to go) and \u00eatre<\/em> (to be.) For a review of these important verbs, check out The Conjugation of aller<\/a> and The Conjugation of \u00eatre<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s talk about de:<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n

De<\/em><\/strong> is a very common French preposition. It means from <\/strong>or of<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

De <\/em><\/strong>can be used to express from <\/strong>when explaining your travel plans or your heritage:<\/p>\n

Je viens <\/em>de<\/em><\/strong> Chicago. <\/em>(I am coming from<\/strong> Chicago.)
\nJe suis <\/em>de <\/em><\/strong>New York City. <\/em>(I am from<\/strong> New York City.)<\/p>\n

Because the French don\u2019t use apostrophes to show possession, they use de <\/em><\/strong>to show ownership. It translates to of<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

C\u2019est le chien <\/em>de<\/em><\/strong> Sylvie. <\/em>(It\u2019s the dog of <\/strong>Sylvie. It\u2019s Sylvie\u2019s dog.)<\/p>\n

De <\/em><\/strong>can be put into a contraction form, meaning \u201cfrom the<\/strong>.\u201d Take a look at this chart:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
de + la<\/td>\nde la<\/td>\nElle vient <\/em>de<\/em><\/strong> la<\/em><\/strong> charcuterie.
\n<\/em>She is coming from<\/strong> the<\/strong> deli.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
de + l\u2019<\/td>\nde l\u2019<\/td>\nNous venons <\/em>de<\/em><\/strong> l\u2019<\/em><\/strong>\u00e9cole.
\n<\/em>We are coming <\/span>from<\/strong> school.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
de + le<\/td>\ndu<\/td>\nC\u2019est la voiture <\/em>du<\/em><\/strong> m\u00e9decin.
\n<\/em>It\u2019s the car of the<\/strong> doctor. It\u2019s the doctor\u2019s car.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
de + les<\/td>\ndes<\/td>\nC\u2019est le cadeau <\/em>des<\/em><\/strong> professeurs.
\n<\/em>It\u2019s the gift from the<\/strong> teachers.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

De <\/em><\/strong>is often used with the French verb venir <\/em>(to come). To review this important verb, check out: The Verb Venir<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

How do I use French prepositions correctly when talking about geographical places?<\/h2>\n

This question overwhelms many French language learners, but it is actually quite simple.<\/p>\n

First, let\u2019s discuss going to<\/span> a specific place.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If you are going to<\/strong> or if you are in<\/strong> a city<\/strong>, use \u00e0<\/em><\/strong>:<\/p>\n

Je vais <\/em>\u00e0<\/em><\/strong> Paris. <\/em>(I am going to<\/strong> Paris.)
\nJe suis <\/em>\u00e0<\/em><\/strong> New York.<\/em> (I am in<\/strong> New York.)<\/p>\n

If you are going to <\/strong>or if you are in<\/strong> a country<\/strong>, use en<\/strong> if the country ends in \u201ce\u201d or starts with a vowel:<\/p>\n

Elle va <\/em>en<\/em><\/strong> France. <\/em>(She is going to<\/strong> France.)
\nIl voyage <\/em>en <\/em><\/strong>Iran. <\/em>(He is traveling in\/to <\/strong>Iran.)<\/p>\n

If you are going to <\/strong>or if you are in<\/strong> a country<\/strong>, use au<\/strong> if the country does NOT end in \u201ce\u201d or start with a vowel:<\/p>\n

Nous irons <\/em>au<\/em><\/strong> Canada.<\/em> (We will go to<\/strong> Canada.)
\nNathalie est <\/em>au <\/em><\/strong>Japon. <\/em>(Nathalie is in<\/strong> Japan.)<\/p>\n

There are a few exceptions. Some popular exceptions are Mexique <\/em>and Cambodge. <\/em>These end in an \u201ce,\u201d but they use au<\/em><\/strong>:<\/p>\n

Tu aimes aller <\/em>au <\/em><\/strong>Mexique? <\/em>(Do you like to go to<\/strong> Mexico?)
\nJ\u2019aime aller <\/em>au <\/em><\/strong>Cambodge. <\/em>(I like to go to<\/strong> Cambodia.)<\/p>\n

If you are going to<\/strong> or if you are in<\/strong> a country <\/strong>that is plural, use aux:<\/strong><\/p>\n

J\u2019habite <\/em>aux<\/em><\/strong> \u00c9tats-Unis. <\/em>(I live in<\/strong> the<\/strong> United States.)
\nIl va <\/em>aux<\/em><\/strong> Pays-Bas. <\/em>(He is going to<\/strong> the<\/strong> Netherlands.)<\/p>\n

Now, let\u2019s focus on coming from<\/span> a specific place.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If you are coming from<\/strong> any city<\/strong> or a country<\/strong> that ends in \u201ce\u201d or starts with a vowel, use de <\/strong>(or d\u2019<\/strong> in front of a vowel):<\/p>\n

Je viens <\/em>de<\/em><\/strong> Lyon. <\/em>(I am coming from<\/strong> Lyon.)
\nJe suis venu <\/em>de <\/em><\/strong>France. <\/em>(I came from<\/strong> France.)
\nElle est <\/em>d\u2019<\/em><\/strong>Iran. <\/em>(She is from <\/strong>Iran.)<\/p>\n

If you are talking about a country<\/strong> that does NOT end in \u201ce\u201d or start with a vowel, use du<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

Robert vient <\/em>du <\/em><\/strong>Luxembourg. <\/em>(Robert comes from<\/strong> Luxembourg.)<\/p>\n

Once again, there are the same few exceptions, including Mexique <\/em>and Cambodge. <\/em>These end in an \u201ce,\u201d but they use du<\/em><\/strong>:<\/p>\n

Elle est venue <\/em>du<\/em><\/strong> Mexique. <\/em>(She came from<\/strong> Mexico.)<\/p>\n

If you are coming from a country<\/strong> that is plural, use des<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

Nous venons <\/em>des<\/em><\/strong> \u00c9tats-Unis. <\/em>(We are coming from<\/strong> the United States.)<\/p>\n

Here is a simple chart to summarize:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nto\/in<\/strong><\/td>\nfrom<\/strong><\/td>\nExamples<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Any city<\/td>\n\u00e0<\/td>\nde<\/td>\n\u00e0 <\/strong>New York
\nde<\/strong> Strasbourg<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Countries that end with \u201ce\u201d OR start with a vowel<\/td>\nen<\/td>\nde\/d\u2019<\/td>\nen<\/strong> Suisse
\nd\u2019<\/strong>Italie<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Countries that do NOT end with \u201ce\u201d OR start with a vowel**<\/td>\nau<\/td>\ndu<\/td>\nau <\/strong>Canada
\ndu<\/strong> Luxembourg**Exceptions:<\/span>au<\/strong> Mexique
\ndu<\/strong> Cambodge<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Countries that are plural<\/td>\naux<\/td>\ndes<\/td>\naux<\/strong> Pays-Bas
\ndes<\/strong> \u00c9tats-Unis<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Looking to learn country names in French? Check out this link: Country Names in French<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What prepositions are used with modes of transportation? What do I use to explain how to get somewhere?<\/h2>\n

If you want to say you travel by train or plane or bike, it is easy in French. You use either \u00e0 <\/strong>or en <\/strong>to mean \u201cby\u201d <\/strong>when speaking about modes of transportation.<\/p>\n

Generally, use \u00e0<\/strong> for types of transportation that do not use a motor:<\/p>\n

Je vais \u00e0 l\u2019\u00e9cole <\/em>\u00e0<\/em><\/strong> bicyclette. <\/em>(I go to school by<\/strong> bike.)
\nMon grand-p\u00e8re est all\u00e9 <\/em>\u00e0 <\/em><\/strong>cheval. <\/em>(My grandfather went by<\/strong> horse.)
\nQuelquefois, je vais <\/em>\u00e0<\/em><\/strong> pied.<\/em> (Sometimes, I go by <\/strong>foot.)<\/p>\n

In general, use en <\/strong>for types of transportation that use a motor:<\/p>\n

Elle va en France <\/em>en<\/em><\/strong> avion. <\/em>(She goes to France by<\/strong> plane.)
\nMoussa aime voyager <\/em>en<\/em><\/strong> voiture. <\/em>(Moussa likes to travel by <\/strong>car.)<\/p>\n

Can I quiz myself about these French prepositions?<\/h2>\n

Of course! Now that you have more information about how to properly use French prepositions, check out Clozemaster for some grammar practice! Try out your new knowledge and see what you\u2019ve learned.<\/p>\n

\n

Challenge yourself with Clozemaster<\/h2>\n

Test your skills and see what you’ve learned from this article by playing a selection of sentences with French prepositions:<\/strong><\/p>\n