dessus
/də.sy/
dessus is the French word for on top.
The word dessus functions as an adverb meaning on top or on top of it.
Which one should you use?
dessus is the direct antonym of dessous, which means underneath or below. It is often confused with the preposition sur (on) or the adjective supérieur (upper/superior).
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as an adverb to mean 'on top of it', dessus is frequently used in the phrase dessus-dessous to mean 'upside down' or 'in a mess'.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /də.sy/. It has 2 syllables.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use dessus as a preposition, such as saying dessus la table. Because dessus is an adverb, you must use the preposition sur instead to say 'on the table'.
Did you know?
- The expression mettre le dessus means to gain the upper hand or to triumph over an opponent in a struggle.
- The word dessus can be used as a noun to describe the 'top' or 'upper part' of an object, such as the dessus of a shoe, which refers to the upper leather part.
- The word dessus has a distant linguistic relative in the English word 'surpass', as both stem from roots meaning 'above' or 'over'.
Examples in context
- Il a sauté par-dessus la barrière.He jumped over the fence.
- Le soleil brille au-dessus des nuages.The sun shines above the clouds.
- J'ai jeté mon manteau par-dessus l'épaule.I threw my coat over my shoulder.
- Pose le livre juste dessus.Put the book right on top.
- Il n'y a rien dessus.There is nothing on it.
Example conversation
Nathan and Manon are organizing a table.
- NathanOù veux-tu que je mette ce vase ?Where do you want me to put this vase?
- ManonPose-le sur la nappe, juste dessus.Put it on the tablecloth, right on top.
- NathanC'est assez stable comme ça ?Is it stable enough like this?
- ManonOui, c'est parfait dessus.Yes, it is perfect on there.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry dessus, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dessus, CC BY-SA 4.0.
