French Prepositions of Place: Sur, Sous, Dans, Devant, Derrière
Level: DELF A1
Introduction
Understanding French prepositions of place is essential for describing locations and giving directions. In this article, we will explore five common prepositions: sur (on), sous (under), dans (in), devant (in front of), and derrière (behind). Each of these words plays a crucial role in everyday conversation, helping you describe where objects or people are in relation to one another.
1. Sur (On, On Top of)
Sur [Pronounced: /syʁ/]
The preposition sur is used to indicate that something is on top of a surface.
Examples:
- Le livre est sur la table. (The book is on the table.)
- Il y a un chat sur le canapé. (There is a cat on the sofa.)
2. Sous (Under, Beneath)
Sous [Pronounced: /su/]
Sous means "under" or "beneath" and is used when something is located directly below another object.
Examples:
- Les chaussures sont sous le lit. (The shoes are under the bed.)
- Le chien dort sous la table. (The dog is sleeping under the table.)
3. Dans (In, Inside)
Dans [Pronounced: /dɑ̃/]
The preposition dans is used to indicate that something is inside an enclosed space.
Examples:
- Les clés sont dans mon sac. (The keys are in my bag.)
- Il y a de l’eau dans le verre. (There is water in the glass.)
4. Devant (In Front of, Before)
Devant [Pronounced: /də.vɑ̃/]
Devant means "in front of" and is used when one object or person is positioned before another.
Examples:
- Il y a une voiture devant la maison. (There is a car in front of the house.)
- Il se tient devant le miroir. (He is standing in front of the mirror.)
5. Derrière (Behind, At the Back of)
Derrière [Pronounced: /dɛʁ.jɛʁ/]
The preposition derrière is used to indicate something that is located behind or at the back of another object.
Examples:
- Le jardin est derrière la maison. (The garden is behind the house.)
- Le chat se cache derrière le canapé. (The cat is hiding behind the sofa.)
Mnemonic to Remember These Prepositions
A useful way to remember these prepositions is through the phrase: "Some Silly Dogs Dance Daily"
- Some (Sur – On)
- Silly (Sous – Under)
- Dogs (Dans – In)
- Dance (Devant – In Front of)
- Daily (Derrière – Behind)
Visualizing a dog dancing daily on, under, in, in front of, and behind objects can help reinforce these words in your memory!
French Prepositions Matching Game
Match the English prepositions with their correct French counterparts.
How to Play: Drag the English word and drop it onto the correct French word. If you match correctly, it will turn green!
In
On
Under
In Front Of
Behind
Sur
Sous
Dans
Devant
Derrière
Conclusion
Mastering these prepositions of place will greatly improve your ability to describe locations in French. Whether you are navigating a city, arranging objects in a room, or giving someone directions, sur, sous, dans, devant, and derrière are essential words to know. Practice using them in sentences, and soon, they will become a natural part of your French vocabulary!
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