Prepositions of Place: What prepositions do we use to indicate location in French?

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

INTRODUCTION

Understanding French prepositions of place is essential for accurately describing locations and spatial relationships. Prepositions such as “à,” “dans,” “sur,” and “sous” help indicate where something or someone is situated. Mastering these prepositions will enhance your ability to communicate clearly and precisely in French.

List of Prepositions of Place:

à – at, to

Example: Il est à l’école. (He is at school.)
Pronunciation: Il est à l’école. (eel ay ah lay-kohl. ईल ए अह ले-कोल)

en – in

Example: Elle est en France. (She is in France.)
Pronunciation: Elle est en France. (ell ay ahn frahnss. एल ए आन फ्राँस)

dans – in, inside

Example: Le chat est dans la boîte. (The cat is in the box.)
Pronunciation: Le chat est dans la boîte. (luh shah ay dahn lah bwaht. लु शाह ए दाँ लाह ब्वाहट)

sur – on

Example: Le livre est sur la table. (The book is on the table.)
Pronunciation: Le livre est sur la table. (luh leevr ay sewr lah tah-bluh. लु लीवर ए सू र लाह ता-ब्लु)

sous – under

Example: Le chien est sous la chaise. (The dog is under the chair.)
Pronunciation: Le chien est sous la chaise. (luh shyan ay soo lah shehz. लु श्याँ ए सू लाह शेज़)

devant – in front of

Example: La voiture est devant la maison. (The car is in front of the house.)
Pronunciation: La voiture est devant la maison. (lah vwah-tur ay duh-vahn lah meh-zohn. लाह व्वा-तुर ए दुवाँ लाह मे-ज़ों)

derrière – behind

Example: Le jardin est derrière la maison. (The garden is behind the house.)
Pronunciation: Le jardin est derrière la maison. (luh zahr-dahn ay day-ree-air lah meh-zohn. लु ज़ार-दाँ ए डे-री-एर लाह
मे-ज़ों)

Identifying in a Sentence:

“Il est à l’école.” (He is at school.)
Pronunciation: Il est à l’école. (eel ay ah lay-kohl. ईल ए अह ले-कोल)

“Elle est en France.” (She is in France.)
Pronunciation: Elle est en France. (ell ay ahn frahnss. एल ए आन फ्राँस)

“Le chat est dans la boîte.” (The cat is in the box.)
Pronunciation: Le chat est dans la boîte. (luh shah ay dahn lah bwaht. लु शाह ए दाँ लाह ब्वाहट)

“Le livre est sur la table.” (The book is on the table.)
Pronunciation: Le livre est sur la table. (luh leevr ay sewr lah tah-bluh. लु लीवर ए सू र लाह ता-ब्लु)

“Le chien est sous la chaise.” (The dog is under the chair.)
Pronunciation: Le chien est sous la chaise. (luh shyan ay soo lah shehz. लु श्याँ ए सू लाह शेज़)

“La voiture est devant la maison.” (The car is in front of the house.)
Pronunciation: La voiture est devant la maison. (lah vwah-tur ay duh-vahn lah meh-zohn. लाह व्वा-तुर ए दुवाँ लाह मे-ज़ों)

“Le jardin est derrière la maison.” (The garden is behind the house.)
Pronunciation: Le jardin est derrière la maison. (luh zahr-dahn ay day-ree-air lah meh-zohn. लु ज़ार-दाँ ए डे-री-एर लाह मे-ज़ों)

Conditions and Exceptions:

• à is used for places, cities, and specific points.
  
  
• en is used for feminine countries and regions or months and years.
  
  
• dans indicates being inside something.
  
  
• sur is used to indicate being on the surface of something.
  
  
• sous indicates being underneath something.
  
  
• devant and derrière are used to describe spatial relationships in front of and behind objects or places.
  
  

Importance:

Mastering prepositions of place in French is essential for describing locations and spatial relationships accurately. It helps avoid misunderstandings and ensures clear and precise communication.

Funny Examples:

“Le chien est sous la table parce qu’il veut des restes.” (The dog is under the table because he wants leftovers.)
Pronunciation: Le chien est sous la table parce qu’il veut des restes. (luh shyan ay soo lah tah-bluh pahrs keel vuh day rehst. लु श्याँ ए सू लाह ता-ब्लु पारस कील वु डे रेस्त)

“Le chat est sur la télévision, il regarde son émission préférée!” (The cat is on the TV, he’s watching his favorite show!)

Pronunciation: Le chat est sur la télévision, il regarde son émission préférée! (luh shah ay sewr lah tay-lay-vih-zyohn, eel ruh-gard sohn ay-mee-syon pray-fay-ray. लु शाह ए सू र लाह ते-ले-वी-ज़यों, ईल रे-गार्ड सोन ए-मी-स्यों प्रे-फे-रे!)

WANT TO LEARN MORE?

Want to master French grammar and become fluent? Join our French A3 Level course at Learn Language Store! With engaging lessons, humorous examples, and expert guidance, you’ll learn to use French prepositions of place and much more. Enroll today and take your French skills to the next level!