par là
/paʁ la/
The English phrase "that way" is translated into French as par là.
The phrase par là is used to indicate a specific direction, often when pointing or providing directions. It can also be used as a quick command or elliptical imperative to direct someone, such as shouting "That way!" to guide someone through a crowd.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the preposition par (through/by) and the adverb là (there).
Which one should you use?
While par là indicates a direction away from the speaker, par ici is used to indicate a direction toward or near the speaker (this way). If you want to emphasize that a direction is much further away, you can use par là-bas (over that way).
How do you pronounce it?
/paʁ la/
Did you know?
- The word par in par là comes from the Latin per, which is also the root of English words like 'percolate' and 'pervasive'.
- French uses the preposition par, meaning 'through' or 'by', to describe direction, whereas English uses 'that' as a demonstrative adjective.
- The phrase par là can sometimes be used idiomatically in French to mean 'by that means' or 'through that process', moving beyond simple spatial movement.
Examples in context
- Je ne vais pas par là.I'm not going that way.This sentence is useful for expressing that you are not traveling in a certain direction using par là.Tatoeba #6960522 by sacredceltic, translation #6088447 by OsoHombre
- N'entrez pas par là, entrez par ici !Don't go that way, go this way!This sentence is useful for directing someone to avoid one way and use another using par là.Tatoeba #750990 by Cocorico, translation #10224878 by espamatics
- Par là !That way!This sentence is useful for giving a quick direction using par là.Tatoeba #1793911 by sacredceltic, translation #1792458 by Spamster
- Il faut faire les choses de cette manière.We must do things this way.
- Vous devez procéder ainsi.You must proceed that way.
- Tu dois le faire comme ça.You have to do it that way.
- Je préfère qu'on s'y prenne comme cela.I prefer that we handle it that way.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Emma are walking in a park looking for an exit.
- LucasOù est la sortie, Emma ?Where is the exit, Emma?
- EmmaC'est par là, Lucas.It is that way, Lucas.
- LucasEst-ce que c'est le bon chemin ?Is that the right path?
- EmmaOui, allons par là.Yes, let's go that way.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry par là, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries là, par, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
