Learning the various ways to say “under” in French can greatly enhance your conversational skills and help you express yourself more effectively. Whether you want to convey a formal tone or engage in a casual conversation, this comprehensive guide will provide you with a wide range of expressions, tips, and examples to master the usage of “under” in French.
Table of Contents
1. Formal Ways of Saying “Under” in French
When it comes to formal situations, such as business meetings, official correspondence, or academic writing, it is crucial to use appropriate expressions to convey a sense of professionalism. Here are a few formal ways to say “under” in French:
- Sous – This is the most common translation for “under” in formal French. It is used in various contexts and is the preferred choice in written and formal speech. For example, “The book is under the table” translates to “Le livre est sous la table.”
- En dessous de – This expression is slightly more formal and emphasizes the notion of being “beneath” something. For instance, “The bridge is under the river” would be “Le pont est en dessous de la rivière” in French.
- En dessous – Similar to “en dessous de,” this phrase implies being “below” or “underneath” something. For example, “The temperature is under zero degrees” translates to “La température est en dessous de zéro degré.”
- Inférieur à – This expression is mainly used in mathematical or quantitative contexts to describe something being “less than” or “below” a certain value. For instance, “The price is under $10” can be translated as “Le prix est inférieur à 10 dollars.”
2. Informal Ways of Saying “Under” in French
Informal conversations allow for a more relaxed style where colloquial expressions and slang may be used. Here are some informal ways to express “under” in French:
- En dessous – This phrase can also be used in informal contexts and is interchangeable with the formal version. For example, “The cat is under the bed” translates to “Le chat est en dessous du lit.”
- Sous – Although originally considered formal, “sous” is commonly used in casual conversations as well. It is the go-to word for most French speakers to describe “under.” For instance, “The keys are under the book” can be expressed as “Les clés sont sous le livre.”
- Au-dessous de – Similar to “en dessous de,” this phrase is used in informal speech to convey being “beneath” or “below” something. For example, “The airplane flies under the clouds” would be “L’avion vole au-dessous des nuages” in French.
- Sous le nez de – Literally meaning “under the nose of,” this expression is used informally to denote something happening right in front but somewhat unnoticed. For instance, “He stole the wallet right under my nose” translates to “Il a volé le portefeuille sous mon nez” in French.
3. Examples with Different Scenarios
To better understand the usage of “under” in French, let’s explore some examples in various scenarios:
Marie: Où est mon parapluie ? (Where is my umbrella?)
Pierre: Il est sous la chaise. (It’s under the chair.)
In this example, Pierre responds to Marie’s question by using “sous” to indicate the location of the umbrella.
Sophie: La maison est-elle au-dessous du pont ? (Is the house under the bridge?)
Louis: Oui, la maison est au-dessous de ce pont. (Yes, the house is under that bridge.)
Here, Louis confirms Sophie’s question by using “au-dessous de” to describe the house’s position.
Thomas: Il fait froid aujourd’hui. (It’s cold today.)
Camille: Oui, la température est en dessous de zéro degré. (Yes, the temperature is below zero degrees.)
Camille uses “en dessous de” to inform Thomas about the temperature being below freezing point.
Marc: Combien coûte cette chemise ? (How much does this shirt cost?)
Julien: Elle est inférieure à 50 euros. (It is under 50 euros.)
Julien uses “inférieure à” to specify that the shirt’s price is less than 50 euros in response to Marc’s question.
4. Regional Variations
French is spoken in many regions around the world, and some variations exist in certain local dialects. However, when it comes to expressing “under,” the formal and informal ways mentioned earlier are widely understood and accepted across French-speaking regions. Thus, regional variations in the translation of “under” are minimal or nonexistent.
Now armed with various formal and informal expressions for saying “under” in French, you can confidently navigate conversations in different contexts. Remember to adapt your choice of expression to match the level of formality you wish to convey. Whether you use “sous,” “en dessous de,” or “au-dessous de,” your understanding of these phrases will undoubtedly take your French-speaking skills to new heights!
