Prepositions are one of those tricky things that trip people up in every language. In French, they’re small but mighty — and using the wrong one can warp your whole sentence. The good news? You can learn the most common ones quickly and start using them right away.
Here’s how to get comfortable with French prepositions in just 10 minutes.
What Are Prepositions?
Prepositions are words that show the relationship between other words. In English, they’re words like “in,” “on,” “to,” “with,” and “about.” French has its own set — and while some line up neatly with English, others don’t translate so directly.
The Power 10: Must-Know French Prepositions
Here are the essentials you’ll use all the time:
- à — to, at, in
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Je vais à Paris. (I’m going to Paris.)
Il est à la maison. (He’s at home.)
- de — from, of, about
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Je viens de Londres. (I come from London.)
Le livre de Marie. (Marie’s book.)
- en — in, to (used with feminine countries, months, etc.)
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Je suis en France. (I’m in France.)
En janvier. (In January.)
- dans — in, inside
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Le livre est dans la boîte. (The book is in the box.)
- sur — on
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La tasse est sur la table. (The cup is on the table.)
- sous — under
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Le chat est sous la chaise. (The cat is under the chair.)
- avec — with
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Je parle avec mon ami. (I’m talking with my friend.)
- sans — without
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Un café sans sucre. (A coffee without sugar.)
- pour — for
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C’est pour toi. (It’s for you.)
- chez — at the home/place of
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Je suis chez moi. (I’m at home.)
On va chez le médecin. (We’re going to the doctor’s.)
Preposition Pitfalls (And How to Avoid Them)
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Don’t assume English = French.
“In France” is en France, not dans France. Use en with countries (if they’re feminine or start with a vowel). -
Prepositions + articles contract.
- à + le = au → Je vais au cinéma.
- de + les = des → Le livre des enfants.
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Some verbs require specific prepositions.
Example: penser à (thinking about someone) vs. penser de (thinking of something, i.e., opinion).
Je pense à toi. (I’m thinking about you.)
Que penses-tu de ce film ? (What do you think of this movie?)
Quick Practice
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I’m going to the park → Je vais __ parc.
Answer
au
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She’s in Italy → Elle est __ Italie.
Answer
en
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The keys are on the table → Les clés sont __ la table.
Answer
sur
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It’s for my friend → C’est __ mon ami.
Answer
pour
Final Tip: Think in Chunks
Don’t memorize prepositions in isolation. Learn them as part of common expressions:
- à la maison
- en voiture
- avec plaisir
- chez moi
The more of these you know, the more naturally prepositions will come to mind.
