In French, y and en are short pronouns that replace phrases to make speech and writing more natural and concise. This guide explains when and how to use each one with clear examples.
Y
Use y to replace a phrase that begins with a preposition like à, chez, dans, sur, or en when referring to a thing or place. Y stands in for that location or abstract idea so you don’t repeat the longer phrase.
Examples
Notes
Keep in mind that y cannot replace a person; if the phrase refers to a person introduced by à, use a disjunctive pronoun instead. Also, y can sometimes replace more abstract ideas like à quelque chose.
En
Use en to replace a phrase introduced by de (including du, de la, des, d’) or to replace a noun followed by a quantity or number. En can stand for things, places, or abstract ideas when the original phrase is introduced by de.
Examples
Notes
When an expression includes a quantity, keep the number or partitive phrase if you want to specify amount; otherwise, en replaces the whole phrase. Like y, en cannot replace a person.
Summary
In short, use y to replace phrases introduced by prepositions like à when referring to things or places, and use en to replace phrases introduced by de or to replace quantities. These small pronouns help make sentences shorter and more natural.
## Key Takeaway
- Use *y* for phrases introduced by *à*, *chez*, *dans*, *sur*, etc., referring to things or places
- Use *en* for phrases introduced by *de* and for replacing quantities
- Neither *y* nor *en* replaces persons; use disjunctive pronouns when neededLast updated: Fri Oct 24, 2025