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.

Examples from our dialogues 5 · 5 with audio

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 colour

Listen
Des poitrines. J'en voudrais environ un kilo.
Breasts. I would like about one kilo.
Check The Full DialogueBuying at the butcher shop

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 neighbour

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 neighbour

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 exhibition

Common mistakes

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.

Practise speaking

Les achats et commercesShopping and commerce

Shopping, paying, returning an item — the French of stores and customer service.

These dialogues use this point. They open on the dialogue page (audio, vocabulary to save).