A2BeginnerPronouns · Point 21 / 40
à + lieu, à + lieu, expression figée, expression figée
“Y” stands in for a place already mentioned (à la clinique, au parc, en métro…) so you do not repeat it.
| Replaces | Pattern | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| à | + lieu | “y” replaces a place introduced by “à”. |
| à | + lieu | “y” goes right before the verb. |
| expression figée | — | “On y va !” is a fixed expression meaning “let’s go”. |
| expression figée | — | “Allez-y” is a fixed expression inviting the other person to speak or act. |
“Y” goes before the verb: “on y va”, “j’y suis”. Two expressions to learn as-is: “On y va !” and “Allez-y”. Do not add “là” after the verb: say “j’y vais”, not “je vais à là”.
Examples from our dialogues 5 · 4 with audio
- Listen
Parfait, on y va en métro. Le concert commence à quelle heure ?
Perfect, we'll take the metro. What time does the concert start?
Check The Full DialogueGoing to a concert
- Listen
C'est un plan parfait. On y va la première fin de semaine d'octobre ?
That's a perfect plan. Shall we go the first weekend of October?
Check The Full DialoguePlanning autumn activities
- Listen
Allez-y, je vous écoute.
Go ahead, I'm listening.
Check The Full DialogueIntroducing yourself to the building superintendent and asking a few basics
- Listen
Ah oui ? Je n'y suis jamais allé.
Oh really? I've never been there.
Check The Full DialogueInviting a neighbour to an activity
Vous allez à la pharmacie ? Oui, j'y vais tout de suite.
Are you going to the pharmacy? Yes, I’m going there right now.
Common mistakes
Je vais à là.J'y vais.
To say “I’m going there”, do not add “là” after the verb: the place is already in “y”.
Practise speaking
La culture et les sortiesCulture and outings
Cinema, festivals, museums — the French of cultural outings.
These dialogues use this point. They open on the dialogue page (audio, vocabulary to save).