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À vs de


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French prepositions

As if the myriad possible translations of à and de aren’t enough, these two French prepositions also have complementary and contrasting uses.

Be sure to take a look at the individual lessons before studying this comparative chart:

À vs de with a(n) …

Place

current location, destination		vs	origin, starting point
Il est à Lille.	He’s in Lille.		Il est de Lille.	He’s from Lille.
Il va à Nantes.	He’s going to Nantes.		Il part de Nantes.	He’s leaving (from) Nantes.

Distance

in time or space		vs	point of reference
Le café est à 10 minutes …	The café is 10 minutes …		… du magasin.	… from the store.
J’habite à 2 km …	I live 2 kilometers…		… d’ici.	… from here.

Description

style		vs	purpose, defining feature
sac à main	hand bag		sac de couchage	sleeping bag
cousu à la machine	machine-sewn		cousu de paillettes	sequinned

Object

function, "for"		vs	contents, "of, with"
verre à vin	wine glass		verre de vin	glass of wine
salle à manger	dining room		salle de bains	bathroom

Ingredient

one of several, "made with"		vs	primary, "made of"
salade au chèvre	salad with chèvre		salade de fruits	fruit salad
thé au citron	tea with lemon		jus de citron	lemon juice

Possession

emphasis on owner		vs	general ownership
Cette voiture est à moi.	This car is mine.		la voiture de Lise	Lise’s car
un ami à mon père	a friend of my dad’s		un ami de mon père	my dad’s friend

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