Common French prepositions that indicate relationships between words, including examples and usage.
French prepositions are small words that link nouns, pronouns, or phrases to other parts of the sentence. They show relationships of place, time, direction, cause, and more. Understanding these common prepositions is essential for building clear and accurate sentences.
Overview of Common French Prepositions:
- à (to, at, in)
- de (from, of)
- en (in, on, by)
- dans (in, inside)
- sur (on)
- sous (under)
- avec (with)
- pour (for)
- sans (without)
- chez (at the home/place of)
Examples
Here are example sentences demonstrating how each preposition is used:
| French Preposition | Example Sentence | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| à | Je vais à Paris. | I’m going to Paris. |
| de | Je viens de Lyon. | I come from Lyon. |
| en | Je suis en France. | I am in France. |
| dans | Le livre est dans la boîte. | The book is in the box. |
| sur | Le chat est sur la table. | The cat is on the table. |
| sous | La lampe est sous la table. | The lamp is under the table. |
| avec | Je parle avec mon ami. | I’m speaking with my friend. |
| pour | Ce cadeau est pour toi. | This gift is for you. |
| sans | Je prends mon café sans sucre. | I take my coffee without sugar. |
| chez | Je suis chez moi. | I am at my house. |
Usage Tips
- Many French prepositions combine with articles to form contractions (e.g., à + le = au, de + la = de la).
- Prepositions are followed by a noun or pronoun; they never stand alone.
- Be mindful of idiomatic expressions where prepositions may not match literal English usage (e.g., “en voiture” means “by car”).
Understanding these common prepositions and practicing them in context will greatly improve your ability to form natural French sentences.
Flashcards (1 of 10)
- Example Sentence: Je vais à Paris.
- English Translation: I’m going to Paris.
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
