French Contractions of de is a French word
- Slides: 17
French “Contractions” of à / de
à is a French word that can mean “to” or “at” (or “in” + a town)
You can make a simple statement with just the word à in a sentence: Ø Je vais à Southwoods. Ø Tu travailles à Waukee? Ø J’habite à West Des Moines.
Sometimes, the place you are going to is not a proper noun, it is just a noun. In French, this place will have a le/la/l’/les in front of it. Ø le lycée Ø la cantine Ø la maison
Our goal is now to say: _____ to the _____ Ø This is where the “contractions” come into play!
To say “to the”: Ø à + le = au *** Ø à + l’ = à l’ no change Ø à + la = à la no change Ø à + les = aux ***
Examples: (no changes) Ø I go to the cafeteria. Ø Je vais à la cantine. Ø You go to the school. Ø Tu vas à l’école.
Examples: (changes!!!) Ø I go to the café. Ø Je vais au café. Ø He goes to the houses. Ø Il va aux maisons.
de is a French word that can mean “of” or “from”
You can make a simple statement with just the word de in a sentence: Ø Je rentre de Southwoods. Ø Tu arrives de Waukee? Ø Il quitte de West Des Moines.
Sometimes, the place you are returning from is not a proper noun, it is just a noun. In French, this place will have a le/la/l’/les in front of it. Ø le lycée Ø la cantine Ø la maison
Our goal is now to say: _____ from the _____ Ø This is where the “contractions” come into play!
To say “from the”: Ø de + le = du *** Ø de + l’ = de l’ Ø de + la = de la no change Ø de + les = des ***
Examples: (no changes) Ø I leave from the cafeteria. Ø Je quitte de la cantine. Ø You arrive from the school. Ø Tu arrives de l’école.
Examples: (changes!!!) Ø I leave from the café. Ø Je quitte du café. Ø He arrives from the houses. Ø Il arrive des maisons.
Caution: There is no such word as dux !!! Some French students mistakenly combine aux and des to create a French word that doesn’t exist!