à vs au
- « Back to Q&A Forum
- « Previous questionNext question »
Joakim R.Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor
à vs au
Why is it "*à* côté de" but "*au* coin de" ?
This question relates to:French lesson "À côté de, en face de, à l'extérieur de, à l'intérieur de, près de, loin de, au coin de (French Prepositions)"
Asked 7 years ago
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 !
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 !
Chris W. 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.
Don't have an account yet? Join today
Ask a question
Find your French level for FREE
Test your French to the CEFR standard
Find your French level