par
/paʁ/
The English word 'by' can be translated into French as par, en or au moyen de depending on the context.
Meaning: indicates a means (prep)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| par | /paʁ/ |
| en | /ɑ̃/ /ɑ̃.n‿/ (before vowel) |
| au moyen de | /o mwa.jɛ̃ də/ |
In French, the choice of word for 'by' depends on whether you are identifying an agent, a mode of transport or a specific method. Use par to indicate the agent performing an action in the passive voice or a specific method. Use en when referring to certain modes of transport. Use au moyen de to mean 'by means of'.
Which one should you use?
Use par when the means is an active agent, such as a person or a specific process. In contrast, use en for modes of transport that one enters, such as en bus (by bus).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase au moyen de is a more formal way to express 'by means of' than the simpler par.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using par to indicate the agent of a passive verb, it is followed by a noun or a pronoun.
How do you pronounce it?
/paʁ/
Did you know?
- While en is used for 'by bus' or 'by train', the preposition à is used for 'by bike' (à vélo) or 'by horse' (à cheval) because you sit on top of them rather than inside them.
- When saying 'by the way', French does not use par or en, but instead uses au fait, which literally means 'at the fact'.
- To say 'by the window', French uses à côté de la fenêtre, which means 'next to the window' rather than using par or en.
Examples in context
- Il vint en bus.He came by bus.This sentence uses en to describe traveling by bus.Tatoeba #1313649 by sacredceltic, translation #35399 by CK
- Je vous en prie.By all means.This sentence uses en within the idiomatic phrase 'Je vous en prie'.Tatoeba #477559 by sacredceltic, translation #38522 by Eldad
- Sois vu par moi !Be seen by me!This sentence uses par to indicate the agent of the action.Tatoeba #1123071 by sacredceltic, translation #1121843 by cntrational
- Le rapport a été rédigé par l'équipe de recherche.The report was written by the research team.
- Le cadeau a été offert par mon patron.The gift was given by my boss.
- Il est venu en vélo.He came by bike.
- Elle prend des photos en utilisant son téléphone.She takes pictures by using her phone.
- J'ai été informé des changements par l'entremise de ma secrétaire.I was informed of the changes by means of my secretary.
- Le message a été transmis par l'entremise de la radio.The message was transmitted by means of the radio.
- en trainBy train
- Le livre a été écrit par Victor Hugo.The book was written by Victor Hugo.
- 3623 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Nathan are discussing how to receive a document.
- EmmaPeux-tu m'envoyer le fichier par e-mail ?Can you send me the file by email?
- NathanOui, je vais l'envoyer tout de suite.Yes, I will send it right away.
- EmmaMerci, Nathan, c'est très gentil.Thank you, Nathan, that is very kind.
- NathanDe rien, Emma, à plus tard.You're welcome, Emma, see you later.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “by” translations and entries par, en, au moyen de, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
