À vs. Dans after aller

Question

It would be really helpful to have a subsection of this lesson, or a separate lesson entirely, that describes when to use "à" and when to use "dans" for "to" after aller.

My best guess right now is that à is used with definite articles, and dans is used with indefinite ones. So "Je vais au parc," and "Je vais dans un parc." Is that correct?

Céline Pickard · Accepted Answer

Bonjour Elysia,
Thank you for your suggestion! I will pass it on to the rest of the team.
In French, you can use the verb "aller" with a definite article as well as an indefinite article:
- aller + [à + definite/indefinite article] + [location/destination] -> "à" meaning "to/at"
Je vais au parc = I'm going to the park
Nous allons aux Etats-Unis = We're going to the United States
Elles vont à une soirée costumée = They are going to a dressing up party
Les débutantes vont à un bal  = The young are going to a ball
 
- aller + [dans + definite/indefinite article] + [location/destination] -> "dans" meaning "in/inside"
Je vais dans le parc = I'm going in the park
Nous allons dans la maison = We're going inside the house
-> inside a specific place
Je vais dans un parc = I am going in a park
-> a unspecified/unknown park
 
So, indefinite articles often pair with "dans" because we talk about an unspecified place, but "dans" can perfectly take a definite article when you mean inside a known place.
I hope this is helpful.
Bonne journée !

Elysia Saundry · Answer

Thank you for your reply Céline. So one would never use à with an indefinite article, is that correct? But dans can be used with either definite or indefinite?

Is there a distinction between "dans le" and "au" as in "Je vais au parc", vs. "Je vais dans le parc"?

Merci!

Céline Pickard · Answer

Bonjour Elysia,I've updated my previous response as it could lead to some confusion (and it shoud answer your second query).I hope this is helpful.Bonne journée !