aller à l'école
To go to school in French is aller à l'école.
This phrase is used to describe traveling to an educational institution for the purpose of attending classes.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'to go to the school'.
How does it change in a sentence?
In French, you must use the definite article l’ before école, whereas English often omits the article in this specific phrase.
Did you know?
- The French word école comes from the Latin schola, which originally referred to a place of leisure or a shaded walk where philosophers gathered to talk.
- The verb aller in aller à l'école is a linguistic traveler, having evolved from the Early Medieval Latin word alāre, which is a distinct lineage from the more common Latin 'eo'.
- When talking about a university student, you would almost never use aller à l'école, as that implies a much younger child. Instead, a student would say they are going to 'la fac' or 'l'université'.
Examples in context
- Tu dois aller à l'école.You must go to school.This sentence shows how to express a requirement using aller à l'école.Tatoeba #2163552 by sacredceltic, translation #2163206 by Source_VOA
- Je veux aller à l'école.I want to go to school.This sentence demonstrates expressing a desire using aller à l'école.Tatoeba #11166643 by lbdx, translation #2714993 by CK
- Tom doit aller à l'école.Tom has to go to school.This sentence illustrates how to state an obligation for a third party using aller à l'école.Tatoeba #7306682 by manou85, translation #7306669 by CK
- Salut Marie, tu vas à l'école aujourd'hui?Hey Marie, are you going to school today?
- Tu devrais aller à l'école pour ne pas rater ton cours.You should go to school so you don't miss your class.
- 83 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Léa are preparing for their morning routine.
- LucasLéa, tu es prête pour aller à l'école ?Léa, are you ready to go to school?
- LéaOui, je cherche mon sac.Yes, I am looking for my bag.
- LucasDépêche-toi, le bus arrive bientôt.Hurry up, the bus is coming soon.
- LéaJe suis prête, allons-y !I am ready, let's go!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aller, à, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
