Prepositions of place in French, including common examples and usage to describe locations and spatial relationships.
French prepositions of place are small words used to indicate where something is located. They show the relationship between objects, people, or places in terms of position or direction. Understanding these prepositions helps you describe scenes, give directions, and talk about spatial relationships accurately.
Common Prepositions of Place
Here are some of the most common French prepositions of place:
- à — at, to
- dans — in
- sur — on
- sous — under
- devant — in front of
- derrière — behind
- entre — between
- près de — near
- loin de — far from
- au-dessus de — above
- au-dessous de — below
Le chat est ___ la chaise.
Which French preposition means 'under' as in 'under the chair'?
sous
'Sous' means 'under' in French. The other options mean 'on', 'in', and 'in front of', which don't fit this context.
Usage Rules
- à is used for specific points (e.g., à la porte — at the door).
- dans indicates being inside something (e.g., dans la boîte — in the box).
- sur means "on" a surface (e.g., sur la table — on the table).
- sous means "under" (e.g., sous la chaise — under the chair).
- Prepositions like devant, derrière, entre show relative position between objects.
- When the definite article follows à, au (à + le), à la, à l', aux are used (e.g., au bureau).
- Similar contractions occur with de (e.g., du bureau).
Examples in Context
| French Example | English Example |
|---|---|
| Le livre est sur la table. | The book is on the table. |
| La clé est dans la poche. | The key is in the pocket. |
| Le chat dort sous la chaise. | The cat sleeps under the chair. |
| Je suis à la porte. | I am at the door. |
| L'école est près de la banque. | The school is near the bank. |
| Le tableau est au-dessus de la cheminée. | The painting is above the fireplace. |
| Le sac est entre les chaises. | The bag is between the chairs. |
Tips for Learners
- Pay attention to contractions with à and de (e.g., au parc, du parc).
- Use dans for enclosed spaces, not just "in" a general area.
- Use sur only when something is physically on top of a surface.
- Practice describing your own room or surroundings using these prepositions.
French prepositions of place are essential building blocks for describing the world around you. Practice using them in sentences to become more comfortable with spatial descriptions.
Can 'sur' be used when something is not physically touching the surface?
No, 'sur' is used only when something is physically on top of a surface
'Sur' implies physical contact with the surface. For things not touching but above, use 'au-dessus de'.
Flashcards (1 of 7)
- English Example: The book is on the table.
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
