en
/ɑ̃/
The English word "in" is translated to French as en.
The preposition en is used to express being contained by something. For certain locations, such as a person's home or a business, you may use chez instead. If you want to describe moving toward an interior, you would use dedans or à l'intérieur and for a position of power, the related noun entrée is used.
Meaning: contained by (prep)
Which one should you use?
While en is used for abstract states or certain time periods, dans is used when emphasizing being physically inside a specific container or space. For example, you would use dans for a box rather than en.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using en with months and seasons, such as en été or en mai, it is used without an article.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɑ̃/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using en for physical locations where dans or à is required. For example, do not say en la boîte when you mean "in the box". Instead, use dans la boîte.
Did you know?
- When talking about transport, en is used for vehicles you enter, like en train, but the preposition à is used for things you sit atop, such as à vélo for 'by bicycle'.
- When talking about materials, en describes what something is made of, such as en or for 'made of gold'.
- The French word en is a cognate of the English word 'in', as both descend from the Proto-Indo-European root *h₁én.
Examples in context
- Je vis en ville.I'm living in the city.This sentence shows the use of en to indicate living in a city.Tatoeba #9726 by sacredceltic, translation #25505 by CK
- En été, je nage.I swim in the summer.This sentence demonstrates using en with a season.Tatoeba #14802 by Julien_PDC, translation #256458 by CK
- Je crois en lui.I believe in him.This sentence shows how en is used with a pronoun to express belief.Tatoeba #133604 by sacredceltic, translation #260942 by CK
- Il habite dans cette maison.He lives in this house.
- Nous travaillons dans une entreprise de renom.We work in a renowned company.
- Le musée est dans le centre-ville.The museum is in the city center.
- Elle travaille au sein de l'entreprise depuis dix ans.She has been working within the company for ten years.
- Les enfants grandissent au sein d'une famille aimante.The children grow up in a loving family.
- Je suis dans ma chambre.I am in my room.
- Les enfants sont dans le jardin.The children are in the garden.
- On se retrouve dans un café.We meet in a café.
- Je vais en vacances en France.I am going on vacation in France.
- On se revoit en soirée.We'll see each other in the evening.
- Je l'ai mis à l'intérieur de mon sac.I put it inside my bag.
- On se voit à l'intérieur du café.We'll meet inside the café.
- Je suis chez mes amis.I am at my friends' place.
- 6082 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Léa are talking about their travel plans.
- HugoJe veux voyager en Italie.I want to travel in Italy.
- LéaC'est une excellente idée, Hugo.That is an excellent idea, Hugo.
- HugoEst-ce que tu viens avec moi ?Are you coming with me?
- LéaOui, j'adore être en Italie !Yes, I love being in Italy!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry en, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries en, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
