à l'étranger
/a l‿e.tʁɑ̃.ʒe/
The English phrase 'abroad' is translated into French as à l'étranger.
à l'étranger is an adverb meaning 'in foreign countries'.
Meaning: in foreign countries (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'at the foreign land' or 'to the foreign land'.
Which one should you use?
While à l'étranger means 'abroad', the noun un étranger can mean both 'a foreigner' and 'a stranger'. Additionally, the noun l'étranger can refer to a foreign country or the concept of 'the abroad'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as a noun, l'étranger refers to a foreign country.
How do you pronounce it?
/a l‿e.tʁɑ̃.ʒe/. The word has 3 syllables.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly try to use en étranger, but the fixed adverbial phrase is always à l'étranger.
Did you know?
- Albert Camus wrote a world-famous novel titled L'Étranger, which is translated into English as 'The Stranger'. The title plays on the double meaning of the word as both a foreigner and an outsider.
- The word étranger shares a root with the English word 'strange'. Both come from the Latin extraneus, meaning someone from the outside.
- In French, the noun étranger can be used to describe someone who is not from a specific town or group, even if they are from the same country.
Examples in context
- Tom vit à l'étranger.Tom is living abroad.This sentence shows how to use à l'étranger to describe someone living in a foreign country.Tatoeba #7766788 by felix63, translation #3417380 by CK
- Elle est à l'étranger.She is abroad.This sentence uses à l'étranger to indicate someone's current location.Tatoeba #12085241 by lbdx, translation #12085238 by ddnktr
- Elle étudia à l'étranger.She studied abroad.This sentence shows how to use à l'étranger regarding studying in a foreign country.Tatoeba #11958226 by Amastan, translation #8792954 by Amastan
- Je vais à l'étranger le mois prochain.I'm going abroad next month
- Je vais étudier dans un autre pays le semestre prochain.I'm studying abroad next semester
- Je vais à l'étranger la semaine prochaine.I'm going abroad next week
- On adore voyager à l'étranger pendant nos vacances.We love to travel abroad during our vacation
- Je veux étudier à l'étranger.I want to study abroad
- J'ai rencontré mon meilleur ami à l'étranger pendant mes études.I met my best friend abroad during my studies
- Mes parents voyagent beaucoup à l'étranger pour leur travail.My parents travel abroad a lot for their work
- 232 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Nathan are discussing their travel plans.
- EmmaTu veux partir à l'étranger cet été ?Do you want to go abroad this summer?
- NathanOui, j'aimerais beaucoup voyager à l'étranger.Yes, I would really like to travel abroad.
- EmmaNathan, tu as déjà un pays en tête ?Nathan, do you already have a country in mind?
- NathanPas encore, mais je cherche des idées.Not yet, but I am looking for ideas.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “abroad” translations and entries à l'étranger, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
