A2BeginnerPronouns · Point 21 / 40
à + lieu, 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”.
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
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 concertAller à un concert
A2 - 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 activitiesPlanifier des activités d'automne
A2 - Listen
Allez-y, je vous écoute.
Go ahead, I'm listening.
- Listen
Ah oui ? Je n'y suis jamais allé.
Oh really? I've never been there.
Check The Full DialogueInviting a neighbour to an activityInviter un voisin à une activité
B1 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.
Watch out
Common mistakes
Mistakes you will often hear, and the right way to say it.
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”.
Read
Related readings
Short texts where this point comes up. Read them to see it inside a story.