When do I use 'dans' and when 'en'?

These two preposition may sometimes be confused because they often translate the English preposition 'in'. However, they have slight differences in meaning:

DANS when is referred to a PLACE means 'inside'

e.g. Il dort dans ma chambre.

DANS when is referred to TIME means 'during'

e.g. Dans ma séjour en France, j'ai visité ma tante.

DANS when is referred to TIME means 'after a certain time has past'.

e.g. Je vais terminer ce course dans 10 jours.(10 days from today)

EN when is referred to TIME outlines the 'duration' of something:

e.g. Nous sommes arrivés à sa maison en trois minutes.

EN also refers to the seasons (hiver, automne, été) apart from AU printemps.

EN may be used after the verb être or a noun to describe the material of a certain object.

e.g. un rideau en soie

EN is also used in other explessions; the most common and useful are:

parler EN anglais

voyager EN voiture.

Answered by Giulia T. French tutor

2425 Views

See similar French 13 Plus tutors

Related French 13 Plus answers

All answers ▸

How do you conjugate the verb "dormir" in the present tense?


I never know when to use etre and avoir. How interchangeable are they?


Briefly desribe your hometown


What did you do over the holidays?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2024

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy