quelque part
/kɛl.k(ə) paʁ/
The English phrase 'somewhere' is translated into French as quelque part.
quelque part is an adverb used to indicate an unspecified or unknown place.
Meaning: in some place (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of quelque (some) and part (part/place/side).
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adverb, quelque part is invariable. It does not change its form based on the gender or number of the subject or the object.
How do you pronounce it?
/kɛl.k(ə) paʁ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers sometimes mistakenly say quelque lieu by translating the word 'place' too literally, but quelque part is the standard idiomatic expression.
Did you know?
- While quelque part means 'somewhere', the word part also functions as a verb meaning 'to leave' or 'to depart'.
- French uses quelque part as an adverb, but to say 'anywhere' in a negative sentence, the phrase changes to nulle part.
- In French, part comes from the Latin partem, meaning a piece or a portion of a whole.
Examples in context
- C'est là quelque part.It's here somewhere.This sentence is useful for showing how to use quelque part to indicate a location.Tatoeba #8395836 by Aiji, translation #3951576 by felvideki
- Cache ça quelque part.Hide this somewhere.This sentence is useful for showing how to use quelque part with a command to hide something.Tatoeba #9159498 by Julien_PDC, translation #9159468 by CK
- Emmène Tom quelque part.Take Tom somewhere.This sentence is useful for showing how to use quelque part when suggesting taking someone to an unspecified location.Tatoeba #9254506 by Micsmithel, translation #2235892 by CK
- Je souhaite aller quelque part pour prendre un café.I want to go somewhere to have a coffee.
- On pourrait se retrouver quelque part ce soir?Shall we meet somewhere tonight?
- Je suis prêt à aller n'importe où pour des vacances reposantes.I am ready to go anywhere for a relaxing vacation.
- 193 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Manon are looking for a missing set of keys.
- HugoJ'ai laissé mes clés quelque part.I left my keys somewhere.
- ManonTu les as cherchées dans le salon ?Did you look for them in the living room?
- HugoOui, mais elles sont encore quelque part ici.Yes, but they are still somewhere here.
- ManonRegarde sous le canapé, Hugo.Look under the sofa, Hugo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “somewhere” translations and entries quelque part, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries part, quelque, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
