droite
/dʁwat/
In French, droite refers to the right side of the body or a position on the right.
For instance, if you want to indicate that something is located on the right-hand side, you can use the phrase Du côté droit.
Which one should you use?
While droite specifically refers to the right side, the masculine form droit can also mean 'straight' as in a straight line. The opposite of droite is gauche, which means left.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that something is 'on the right' or 'to the right', use the prepositional phrase à droite.
How do you pronounce it?
/dʁwat/
Did you know?
- In French politics, la Droite refers to the right wing, while la Gauche refers to the left wing. This terminology dates back to the French National Assembly in 1789, where supporters of the monarchy sat to the right of the president and revolutionaries sat to the left.
- In French, the word droite shares its roots with the concept of 'justice' and 'law', because something that is 'right' is also seen as being 'upright' or 'correct'.
- In traditional French etiquette, the 'right' side was historically considered the place of honor. This is why a guest of honor is often seated to the droite of the host during a formal dinner.
Examples in context
- Le magasin est du côté droit de la rueThe store is on the right-hand side of the street.
- Le parc se trouve vers la droiteThe park is located towards the right.
- Tournez à droite, s'il vous plaîtTurn right, please.
- Pour atteindre la gare, tournez à droite après le pont.To reach the train station, turn right after the bridge.
- La boulangerie se trouve à droite de l'épicerie.The bakery is located to the right of the grocery store.
- Tournez à droite au prochain feu.Turn right at the next light.
- Ma main droite est un peu douloureuse.My right hand is a bit painful.
- Le panneau est sur la droite.The sign is on the right.
Example conversation
Léa and Hugo are looking for a specific shop in the city.
- LéaOù est la boulangerie, Hugo ?Where is the bakery, Hugo?
- HugoElle est juste à droite de la banque.It is just to the right of the bank.
- LéaAh, je la vois enfin !Ah, I finally see it!
- HugoSuper, on y va.Great, let's go.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry droite, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
