Place Adverbs
Adverbs of place tell us where something happens, and they help make descriptions more precise and vivid. This guide goes over common adverbs of place in French, how to position them, and useful expressions.
Common Adverbs of Place
Common adverbs of place are short and often come from Latin or Old French. They include adverbs for nearby, far away, and specific locations like ici, là, loin, près, ailleurs, and partout.
| French Word(s) | English Word(s) |
|---|---|
| ici | here |
| là / là-bas | there / over there |
| près (de) | near (to) |
| loin (de) | far (from) |
| ailleurs | elsewhere |
| partout | everywhere |
| French Example | English Translation |
|---|---|
| 🏠 Le chien est dehors. | The dog is outside. |
| 🪟 Je regarde par la fenêtre. | I am looking out the window. |
| 🗄️ Les clés sont dedans. | The keys are inside. |
| 🛋️ Elle s’assoit ici. | She sits here. |
| 🏃 Ils courent là-bas. | They are running over there. |
| 🧳 Mets la valise là. | Put the suitcase there. |
| 🧭 Le bateau est partout dans la baie. | The boat is everywhere in the bay. |
| 🚪 Personne n’est dehors. | No one is outside. |
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Placement of Adverbs
In French, adverbs of place normally follow the verb they modify. If there is a direct object, the adverb usually comes after the object. This order keeps the sentence natural and clear.
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Adverbial Phrases
Longer adverbial phrases use prepositions like à, en, dans, sur, and chez to specify location. These phrases function like adverbs but have more detail, such as à côté de la maison, dans le jardin, or chez le boulanger.
| French Example | English Translation |
|---|---|
| 🗺️ Ils campent au bord du lac. | They are camping at the edge of the lake. |
| ⛺ Nous dînons sous les étoiles. | We are dining under the stars. |
| 🌉 Le concert est sur le pont. | The concert is on the bridge. |
| 🚶 Elle marche le long de la rivière. | She walks along the river. |
| 🏞️ Ils se sont cachés derrière les arbres. | They hid behind the trees. |
| 🧗 Il grimpe dessus la colline. | He is climbing up the hill. |
| 🛶 Nous pagayons vers l’île. | We are paddling towards the island. |
| 🔦 Ils cherchent autour du camp. | They are searching around the camp. |
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Special Adverbs
Some adverbs can move for emphasis, and a few adverbs of place combine with y to avoid repetition. The adverb y replaces a prepositional phrase that begins with à when referring to a thing or place.
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Examples
| French Example | English Translation |
|---|---|
| 🐕 Le chien dort dehors sous l’arbre. | The dog sleeps outside under the tree. |
| 🧒 L’enfant joue ici près du feu. | The child plays here near the fire. |
| 🚴 Elle roule là-bas derrière la colline. | She rides over there behind the hill. |
| 🧍 Je reste dedans à côté de la fenêtre. | I stay inside next to the window. |
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Summary
Adverbs of place tell us where an action occurs and are mostly short words like ici, là, loin, and près. They normally follow the verb or come after the object if there is one. Use prepositional phrases for more precise locations, and remember that y can replace certain à‑phrases to avoid repetition.
Last updated: Sun Sep 14, 2025