Introduction to Basic Prepositions in French (à, de, dans, en, chez)

Prepositions are small words that link elements of a sentence together, indicating relationships in time, place, direction, etc.

Common Prepositions

  1. À - To, at, in

    • Je vais à Paris. (I am going to Paris.)
    • Il est à la maison. (He is at home.)

  2. De - From, of

    • Je viens de France. (I come from France.)
    • Le livre de Marie. (Marie’s book.)

  3. Dans - In, inside

    • Le chat est dans la maison. (The cat is in the house.)
    • Il travaille dans un bureau. (He works in an office.)

  4. En - In, to (used with countries, months, and seasons)

    • Elle habite en France. (She lives in France.)
    • Nous partons en juillet. (We are leaving in July.)

  5. Chez - At the house of, at (someone's place)

    • Je suis chez moi. (I am at home.)
    • Nous allons chez le docteur. (We are going to the doctor’s office.)

Practice Examples:

  • Nous allons à l'école.
    • Translation: We are going to school.
  • Le cadeau est pour toi.
    • Translation: The gift is for you.
  • Elle vient de Paris.
    • Translation: She comes from Paris.
  • Il habite dans une petite ville.
    • Translation: He lives in a small town.
  • Je suis en vacances.
    • Translation: I am on vacation.
  • Nous dînons chez des amis.
    • Translation: We are having dinner at friends’ house.

Mastering basic prepositions is essential for constructing accurate and meaningful sentences in French. Practice using them in various contexts to improve your language fluency.