au-dessus
/o.d(ə).sy/
The French phrase for "on top" is au-dessus.
au-dessus is used to describe being in a higher position than something else. While it can mean "on top", it often implies being "above" something in a vertical relationship. To specify being at the very peak of a mountain or at the top of a hierarchy, use au sommet. To express being in a position of dominance or superiority in a formal context, use en position dominante.
Which one should you use?
au-dessus is used to indicate a position higher than something else, whereas au-dessous is used to mean "below" or "underneath". Additionally, while au-dessus often implies a vertical relationship without necessarily touching the object below, the preposition sur is the standard way to say "on" when something is physically resting upon a surface.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you follow au-dessus with a noun, you must add the preposition de (for example, au-dessus de la table).
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /o.d(ə).sy/. It has 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- The French phrase for the 'top' of a queue is not a vertical description, but rather en tête, which literally translates to 'in head'.
- The phrase au-dessus comes from the Old French word dessus, which is a combination of de and sus, the latter being a shortened version of the Latin super meaning 'above'.
- While au-dessus describes a position, the French use the expression avoir le dessus to describe winning a struggle or gaining the upper hand in a conflict.
Examples in context
- Mets ce livre au-dessus des autres.Put this book on top of the others.This sentence demonstrates how to use au-dessus to place one object higher than others.Tatoeba #936958 by sacredceltic, translation #56996 by CK
- « Mets ça au-dessus, s'il te plaît. » « Au-dessus de quoi ? »"Please put this on the top." "On top of what?"This dialogue shows a request to place something on the top and a clarifying question.Tatoeba #11293812 by Micsmithel, translation #1858706 by CK
- Il y a une bougie rouge au-dessus de l'évier de la salle de bains.There's a red candle on top of the bathroom sink.This sentence uses au-dessus to describe the location of a candle relative to a sink.Tatoeba #1601014 by sacredceltic, translation #1600186 by jathonjet
- Pose le livre sur le dessus de la pile, s'il te plaît.Put the book on top of the stack, please.
- Il a réussi à se hisser au sommet de l'entreprise.He managed to rise to the top of the company.
- Veuillez placer le courrier urgent sur le dessus des piles.Please place the urgent mail on top of the stacks.
- Notre entreprise se trouve en position dominante sur le marché.Our company is on top in the market.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Chloé are decorating their new apartment.
- GabrielOù est-ce que je mets cette étagère ?Where should I put this shelf?
- ChloéInstalle-la au-dessus de la fenêtre.Install it above the window.
- GabrielD'accord, je vais l'accrocher là.Okay, I will hang it there.
- ChloéParfait, Gabriel, c'est très joli.Perfect, Gabriel, it looks very nice.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry au-dessus, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
