via
/vja/
The French preposition via means 'by (means of)' or 'using (a medium)'.
via is often used in more formal or technical contexts to describe a route or a medium of communication, whereas par is more common in everyday speech.
Meaning: by (means of), using (a medium) (prep)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, Canada, en utilisant can be used as a substitute for the Anglicism via.
How do you pronounce it?
/vja/
Did you know?
- The word via shares a common ancestor with the English word 'vehicle', as both are linked to the Latin 'vehere' meaning 'to carry'.
- While 'via' is understood in French, using it to describe digital communication is often viewed as an 'anglicisme' by linguistic purists.
- Unlike the English 'via', which is used almost universally for any medium, French speakers often prefer par when referring to a human intermediary, such as par l'intermédiaire de.
Examples in context
- Il est allé à Londres via Paris.He went to London via Paris.This sentence shows how to describe a travel route using via.Tatoeba #131313 by Aiji, translation #292442 by CN
- Comme elle était à l'étranger, elle téléphonait fréquemment via Skype.Because she was overseas, she often phoned via Skype.This sentence demonstrates using via to describe a medium of communication.Tatoeba #840882 by sacredceltic, translation #841047 by Scott
- Malheureusement, beaucoup de gens croient des choses qu'on leur aura dites via un courriel qu'ils ne trouveraient pas plausibles en face à face.Sadly many people will believe things told to them via an email which they would find implausible face-to-face.This sentence illustrates using via to describe receiving information through a specific medium.Tatoeba #492702 by sacredceltic, translation #2070 by serendipity42
- Le colis a été envoyé par l'intermédiaire de DHL.The package was sent via DHL.
- Le message a été transmis à travers la chaîne hiérarchique.The message was transmitted via the hierarchical chain.
- J'ai pu contacter l'entreprise par le biais du responsable des relations publiques.I was able to contact the company via the public relations officer.
- J'ai réservé les billets en passant par le site internet.I booked the tickets via the website.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Chloé are discussing how to send a large document.
- HugoPeux-tu m'envoyer le fichier via WeTransfer ?Can you send me the file via WeTransfer?
- ChloéOui, je vais faire ça tout de suite.Yes, I will do that right away.
- HugoC'est plus simple que via un courriel.It's simpler than via an email.
- ChloéJe suis d'accord, Hugo.I agree, Hugo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “via” translations and entries via, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries via, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
