en bas
/ɑ̃ ba/
The English phrase 'down' can be translated into French as en bas or à bas.
Meaning: from a high to a low position, downwards (adv)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| en bas | /ɑ̃ ba/ /ɑ̃ bɑ/ |
| à bas | /a ba/ /a bɑ/ |
When you want to describe a location or a direction, such as being 'at the bottom' or 'downstairs', use en bas. Note that while English can use 'down' as a preposition to describe a path (e.g., 'down the hill'), en bas is an adverb of place and cannot be used directly before a noun to indicate a path.
Which one should you use?
The forms are used in very different contexts. Use en bas to describe a location or direction, such as 'downstairs' or 'at the bottom'. In contrast, use à bas specifically for exclamations intended to call for the downfall or overthrow of something, such as 'Down with the king!'
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/ɑ̃ ba/
Did you know?
- While en bas describes a location, the word bas has a surprising history as a shortened form of bas-de-chausses, which refers to a type of leg covering or hosiery.
- While à bas is used for political protests, the word bas is used to describe a 'bas-relief' sculpture where figures project slightly from a flat background.
- The word bas is the root of the French word basse, which refers to the double bass instrument.
Examples in context
- À bas le roi !Down with the king!This sentence demonstrates an exclamation using à bas to call for the downfall of a king.Tatoeba #4997079 by sacredceltic, translation #2265889 by _undertoad
- À bas l'empereur !Down with the emperor!This sentence demonstrates an exclamation using à bas to call for the downfall of an emperor.Tatoeba #12436739 by lbdx, translation #9678719 by shekitten
- Il n'y a rien en bas.There's nothing down here.This sentence demonstrates the use of en bas to describe a location.Tatoeba #11599803 by Aiji, translation #3286868 by CK
- La valeur de l'action a chuté plus bas que prévu.The value of the stock has fallen lower than expected.
- Viens voir en bas, je suis là.Come see me down below, I'm here.
- 35 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Nathan are in a two-story house.
- ManonRegarde en bas, Nathan !Look down, Nathan!
- NathanQu'est-ce qu'il y a en bas ?What is down there?
- ManonLe chat est tombé en bas.The cat fell down.
- NathanOh, je descends tout de suite.Oh, I am coming down right now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “down” translations and entries en bas, à bas, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bas, en, à, à bas, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
