à vs au

JoakimC1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

à vs au

Why is it "*à* côté de" but "*au* coin de" ?
Asked 7 years ago
AurélieKwiziq team memberCorrect answer
Bonjour à tous les deux !

Chris is onto something there: "au coin de" means literally "at the corner of", hence contracted article.
As for "à côté de"... all I can say is that it is a fixed expression to say "next to", not to be confused with "aux côtés de" meaning "by *someone's* side" (note the plural in French).

I hope that helps!
Bonne journée à vous !
ChrisC1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
Because the definite article "le" is used in the latter and not the former case. And now, of course, you ask, "why"? I am not sure there is a clear answer apart from that's just how it is.... But I await Aurélie's reply. -- Chris.

à vs au

Why is it "*à* côté de" but "*au* coin de" ?

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