à l'épicerie vs chez l'épicerie

Terri R.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

à l'épicerie vs chez l'épicerie

On the week 70 writing challenge, A1 level, the question is 'Je vais ____ épicerie." I wrote chez l'épicerie, but it was marked wrong. If one says "Je vais chez le dentist" or "Je vais chez la boulangerie", why would 'chez l'épicerie' be wrong? I don't see a difference. Thanks for the help! Terri
Asked 7 years ago
Ron T.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
Bonjour Terri, The lesson is about «À + le = au, à + les = aux, de + le = du, de + les = des (contractions of articles) -» and does not cover the use of «chez». While your response seems the correct usage of chez to me, I believe that is the reason that it was not marked correct. Bonne chance,
Terri R.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor
Ron, thanks so much for your response. That makes sense about it being this particular lesson. Your answer is an encouragement. Think I'll give it another try today! Terri
Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
You use chez when you go "to a person" and à for impersonal locations. For example: Je vais chez le dentiste/le coiffeur/le docteur/etc. But you would say Je vais à la boucherie/au cinéma/à la piscine/etc. because they are all impersonal places. -- Chris (not a native speaker).
s b.A2Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor
Bonjour Chris, I am not sure I understand, still struggling with French for beginners! We do say, "Je travaille chez moi". So, "I work at my home." So, is it home, or house, it is again a location! So, why not "chez epicerie?"
Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
Je travaille chez MOI -- I work at my place. It's you that is the person. Je vais chez Alice. -- I go to Alice's place. You CANNOT say: "je rentre chez la maison. " because "maison" is not a person. But you CAN say: "je rentre chez moi. " -- Chris (not a native speaker).
s b.A2Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor
Merci Chris, I think I got it.
Terri R. asked:

à l'épicerie vs chez l'épicerie

On the week 70 writing challenge, A1 level, the question is 'Je vais ____ épicerie." I wrote chez l'épicerie, but it was marked wrong. If one says "Je vais chez le dentist" or "Je vais chez la boulangerie", why would 'chez l'épicerie' be wrong? I don't see a difference. Thanks for the help! Terri

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