Dans le
The English phrase "in the" is translated into French as Dans le.
Dans le is a prepositional phrase used to indicate that something is located inside a specific place or area.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase changes to dans la if the noun following it is feminine. The phrase becomes dans les when referring to multiple items or a plural noun.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying en le. English speakers often mistakenly say en le by trying to translate "in the" literally, but en cannot be followed by a definite article like le or la.
Did you know?
- The phrase dans le can be part of the idiom dans le vent, which historically meant being 'in the wind' or trendy, though it is now often used ironically.
- The word dans can be used to express a future time limit, such as dans une heure to mean 'in an hour'.
- French distinguishes between being 'in' a place using dans and 'at' a place using à. Saying dans le cinéma implies you are physically inside the building, while au cinéma means you are going to a movie.
Examples in context
- Tom est dans le parc.Tom is in the park.This sentence shows how to use Dans le to describe someone's location in a park.Tatoeba #5524291 by Aiji, translation #2548581 by CK
- Retourne dans le van.Get back in the van.This sentence uses Dans le to give a command to return to a vehicle.Tatoeba #6556258 by Aiji, translation #3396430 by CK
- Il est dans le frigo.It's in the fridge.This sentence demonstrates the use of Dans le to describe something located inside a fridge.Tatoeba #7108989 by Aiji, translation #2648091 by CK
- Je travaille dans le bureau.I work in the office.
- Je suis dans la cuisine.I am in the kitchen.
- Je suis dans l'avion.I am on the plane.
- Les clés sont dans le tiroir.The keys are in the drawer.
- Je suis tombé(e) dans les pommes.I passed out
- 2252 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Nathan are looking for their keys at home.
- LéaOù sont les clés ?Where are the keys?
- NathanElles sont dans le sac.They are in the bag.
- LéaNathan, tu es sûr ?Nathan, are you sure?
- NathanOui, je les vois.Yes, I see them.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
