Differences between French and English usages - Using "dans" with streets and means of transportation (French Prepositions of Location)

In French, you usually use the preposition of place "sur" to express "on". However, sometimes you will use "dans".

Learn how to use 'dans' instead of 'sur' in French

In the following cases, you cannot use sur (on) in French, but you will instead use dans (in).

Street

Ils marchent dans la rue.They're walking on the street.

In the case of the street, we see the whole environment as 'the street' and you're situated in it.


Transportation

Nous sommes dans le bus.We are on the bus.

Elle est dans le métro en ce moment.She is on the subway at the moment.

Il est dans le train.He is on the train.

Je suis dans l'avion.I'm on the plane.

In French, we consider that you are inside the transportation.


Farm

Mes grand-parents vivent dans une ferme.My grand-parents live on a farm.
Here in French we consider the farm as a house or a building you live in

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Examples and resources

Je suis dans l'avion.I'm on the plane.
Il est dans le train.He is on the train.
Nous sommes dans le bus.We are on the bus.
Ils marchent dans la rue.They're walking on the street.
Elle est dans le métro en ce moment.She is on the subway at the moment.
Mes grand-parents vivent dans une ferme.My grand-parents live on a farm.
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