où se trouve quelque chose
The English phrase "where something is" is expressed in French as où se trouve quelque chose.
This phrase is used to refer to the physical location or position of an object or person.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase où se trouve literally translates to "where finds itself" because it uses the reflexive verb se trouver.
Which one should you use?
While où est quelque chose is a direct translation of "where something is", the phrase où se trouve quelque chose is more precise and common when discussing the specific location or position of an object.
Did you know?
- The word chose descends from the Latin causa, which meant 'cause'. English has a 'borrowed doublet' of this same word in the form of 'cause'.
- While où se trouve is the standard way to ask where an object is located, French speakers use the verb être for people more often than they do for objects in casual speech.
Examples in context
- Excusez-moi, pouvez-vous me dire où se trouve la gare?Excuse me, can you tell me where the train station is located?
- Tu sais où se trouve un café par ici?Do you know where there's a café around here?
- Où se trouve le marché?Where is the market located?
- Le supermarché est à gaucheThe supermarket is on the left
- Je ne sais pas où se trouve la gare.I don't know where the station is.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chose, où, quelque, se, CC BY-SA 4.0.
