sans
/sɑ̃/
The French word for "without" is sans.
sans is used to indicate that someone or something does not have a particular thing.
How does it change in a sentence?
As a preposition, sans is followed directly by a noun or a pronoun. You do not need to include another preposition, such as de, between sans and the object.
How do you pronounce it?
/sɑ̃/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly add de after sans, such as saying sans de sucre. Instead, you should follow sans directly with the noun, for example sans sucre.
Did you know?
- You can see the influence of sans in English through the word 'sans-serif', used in typography to describe fonts without the small lines at the ends of characters.
- If you see the term sans abri in a French news report, it does not mean 'without a roof', but is the standard way to say 'homeless'.
- While sans means 'without', the expression sans faire exprès is the standard way to say 'by accident' or 'unintentionally'.
Examples in context
- Ça va sans dire.It goes without saying.This sentence shows how to use the phrase in the idiom "It goes without saying.".Tatoeba #4142714 by sacredceltic, translation #1064422 by CM
- Sans feu ni lieu.Without hearth or home.Tatoeba #3459514 by sacredceltic, translation #3456083 by Olya
- Je pars sans lui.I'm leaving without him.This sentence shows how to use sans followed by a pronoun.Tatoeba #8419404 by Aiji, translation #7051166 by AlanF_US
- Je ne peux pas vivre sans toiI can't live without you
- Le jardin est dépourvu de fleursThe garden is without flowers
- Je suis parti sans mon téléphoneI left without my phone
- Nous devons continuer en l'absence de toute informationWe have to continue without any information
- Il a réussi son examen sans réviserHe passed his exam without studying
- sans les fleursWithout the flowers
- sans la fleurWithout the flower
- Il a traversé le désert privé d'eauHe crossed the desert without water
- Je suis parti sans te dire au revoirI left without saying goodbye to you
- 1662 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Lucas are deciding what to order at a cafe.
- ManonTu veux un thé sans lait ?Do you want a tea without milk?
- LucasNon, je préfère le boire avec du lait.No, I prefer to drink it with milk.
- ManonD'accord, et pour moi, un thé sans sucre.Okay, and for me, a tea without sugar.
- LucasTrès bien, j'appelle le serveur.Very well, I will call the waiter.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry sans, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
