French Prepositions with Countries and Cities: En, Au, Aux, À

French Prepositions with Countries and Cities: En, Au, Aux, À

Level: DELF A1

Introduction

When speaking French, the preposition you use to say "in" or "to" a country or city depends on its gender and number. Here's how it works:

1. "À"

Use "À" with Cities

🔹 À → Pronounced like "ah" (short and clear, like "a" in "father")

➡️ Example: Je suis à Paris. (ʒə sɥi a paʁi)

For cities, always use "à":
✅ Je vais à Paris. (I am going to Paris.)
✅ Elle habite à Tokyo. (She lives in Tokyo.)

2. "En"

Use "En" for Feminine Countries & Masculine Countries Starting with a Vowel

🔹 En → Pronounced like "ɑ̃" (nasal sound, similar to "ahn")

➡️ Example: Je suis en France. (ʒə sɥi ɑ̃ fʁɑ̃s)

Most countries ending in -e are feminine, and you use "en":
✅ Je vais en France. (I am going to France.)
✅ Il habite en Italie. (He lives in Italy.)

For masculine countries that start with a vowel, "en" is also used to make pronunciation smoother:
✅ Nous voyageons en Iran. (We are traveling to Iran.)
✅ Elle est en Uruguay. (She is in Uruguay.)

3. "Au"

Use "Au" for Masculine Countries

🔹 Au → Pronounced like "o" (long "o" sound, like in "go")
➡️ Example: Il va au Canada. (il va o kanada)

For masculine countries (not ending in -e), use "au":
✅ Je vais au Canada. (I am going to Canada.)
✅ Ils vivent au Japon. (They live in Japan.)

4. "Aux"

Use "Aux" for Plural Countries

🔹 Aux → Pronounced like "o" (same as au but always silent "x")
➡️ Example: Nous allons aux États-Unis. (nu zalɔ̃ o zetazyni)

For plural countries (typically ending in -s), use "aux":
✅ Nous allons aux États-Unis. (We are going to the United States.)
✅ Elle habite aux Pays-Bas. (She lives in the Netherlands.)

Mnemonic to Remember These Rules: "EN-AUX-AU-À" (Sounds like "Eh No, Oh Ah!")

Think of "EN-AUX-AU-À" as a quick sound pattern that reminds you which preposition to use:

• EN → Feminine or vowel-starting countries
• AUX → Plural countries
• AU → Masculine countries
• À → Cities

💡 Story Mnemonic: Imagine you're planning a trip:

1. You start "EN" (France), sipping a café.
2. Then you say "Oh no, I need to book tickets for the AUX (États-Unis).”
3. Then, you relax and say "AU revoir" before heading to AU (Canada).
4. Finally, you arrive "À Paris" and enjoy your vacation!

With this, you’ll never mix them up again! 🇫🇷✈️

You may like

Read more:

💙   Table of Contents: French Grammar