A2BeginnerPronouns · Point 20 / 40
de + nom, quantité, un / une + nom, il y a + nom
“En” replaces a noun introduced by “de”, “du”, “des”, “un” or a quantity, so you do not repeat it.
| Replaces | Pattern | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| de | + nom | “en” replaces a noun introduced by “de”, often used to give an opinion. |
| quantité | — | “en” replaces a noun with a quantity, the number stays at the end. |
| un / une | + nom | “en” replaces a noun with “un” or “une”, the number stays at the end. |
| il y a | + nom | “en” slots into “il y a” to say that one exists. |
“En” goes before the verb, and the number stays at the end: “j’en ai un”, “j’en voudrais un kilo”. Without “en” the sentence is incomplete: you do not say “j’ai deux” on its own.
In context
Examples from our dialogues
Lines taken from our dialogues. Listen to them, then open the full dialogue to hear them in a real situation.
- Listen
Oui, j'en ai un ici. Le voici.
Yes, I have one here. Here it is.
Check The Full DialogueAsking for another size or colourDemander une autre taille ou couleur
A1 - Listen
Des poitrines. J'en voudrais environ un kilo.
Breasts. I would like about one kilo.
Check The Full DialogueBuying at the butcher shopAcheter à la boucherie
A2 - Listen
Une perceuse ? Oui, j'en ai une dans l'armoire. Tu veux faire quoi avec ?
A drill? Yes, I've got one in the closet. What do you want to do with it?
Check The Full DialogueBorrowing a drill from a neighbourEmprunter une perceuse à un voisin
A2 - Listen
C'est pratique. Si tu cherches une bonne boulangerie, il y en a une au coin de la rue.
That's handy. If you're looking for a good bakery, there's one on the corner.
Check The Full DialogueGetting to know a new neighbourFaire connaissance avec un nouveau voisin
A2 - Listen
Cette exposition est magnifique. Qu'est-ce que tu en penses ?
This exhibition is magnificent. What do you think?
Check The Full DialogueVisiting an art exhibitionVisiter une exposition d'art
A2
Watch out
Common mistakes
Mistakes you will often hear, and the right way to say it.
J'ai deux.J'en ai deux.
When you give a quantity without repeating the noun, “en” is required. “J’ai deux” on its own is incomplete.
Read
Related readings
Short texts where this point comes up. Read them to see it inside a story.