au lit
/o li/
The English phrase "in bed" is translated into French as au lit.
The phrase au lit is the standard way to describe someone who is currently in bed, typically for the purpose of resting or sleeping. You might also encounter the figurative expression Dans les bras de Morphée, which literally means "in the arms of Morpheus" and is used to describe being in bed. For a more specific sense of being tucked under your covers, you can use Sous la couette, meaning "under the duvet".
Meaning: lying on one's bed (prep_phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase au lit is a contraction of the preposition à (meaning at or in) and the masculine noun le lit (the bed).
Which one should you use?
While au lit is the standard idiomatic expression for being in bed to rest, the phrase dans le lit is used more literally to describe being physically inside the structure of the bed or specifically inside the covers.
How do you pronounce it?
/o li/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying en lit. While English speakers sometimes translate the word "in" directly, au lit is the correct idiomatic prepositional phrase in French.
Did you know?
- The word lit shares the same Latin root, lectus, with the English word 'lecture'.
- In French, the word lit can also mean a 'bed' of a river, referring to the channel where the water flows.
- The phrase au lit is used as a stern command to children, functioning more like the English phrase 'To bed!' than a description of location.
Examples in context
- Reste au lit !Stay in bed.This sentence is useful for giving a command to stay in bed using au lit.Tatoeba #3666035 by sacredceltic, translation #2250006 by CK
- Tom est au lit.Tom is in bed.This sentence shows how to state that someone is in bed using au lit.Tatoeba #3762536 by GB3, translation #2273213 by CK
- Je suis au lit.I'm in bed.This sentence demonstrates how to say "I'm in bed" using au lit.Tatoeba #5600968 by sacredceltic, translation #2311273 by CM
- J'aime lire un bon livre dans mon lit avant de dormir.I enjoy reading a good book in bed before sleeping.
- Il a attrapé un rhume et reste dans les bras de Morphée .He caught a cold and stays in the arms of Morpheus (in bed).
- Après une longue journée, j'adore me retrouver au lit pour me reposer.After a long day, I love getting into bed to relax.
- 141 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel calls Chloé to see if she is awake.
- GabrielChloé, tu es déjà au lit ?Chloé, are you already in bed?
- ChloéOui, je suis déjà au lit.Yes, I am already in bed.
- GabrielTu veux que je vienne te voir ?Do you want me to come see you?
- ChloéNon, je vais dormir.No, I am going to sleep.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “in bed” translations and entries au lit, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lit, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
