À vs Chez in French
The prepositions à and chez are essential elements of the French language. While both prepositions can indicate location, their uses are quite distinct. This guide will help you understand precisely when and how to use them.
1. How to Choose Between À and Chez: Basic Rules
💡 The Golden Rule:
- À is used with places and locations
- Chez is used with people and living beings
A. The Preposition "à"
Formes contractées
- à + le → au
- à + les → aux
- à + la → à la
- à + l' → à l'
Examples
- Je vais au marché (I'm going to the market)
- Elle va aux halles (She's going to the market halls)
- Tu vas à la boulangerie (You're going to the bakery)
- Nous allons à l'université (We're going to the university)
B. The Preposition "chez"
We use "chez" with:
People
- Je vais chez mes parents (I'm going to my parents' place)
- Tu es chez le médecin (You're at the doctor's)
Stress Pronouns
- Je rentre chez moi (I'm going home)
- Il est chez elle (He's at her place)
2. The Special Case of Brands
À + other brands
- Je vais à Carrefour (I'm going to Carrefour)
- Tu vas à Monoprix (You're going to Monoprix)
- Elle va à la FNAC (She's going to FNAC)
Chez + family names
- Je vais chez Renault (I'm going to Renault)
- Tu vas chez Leclerc (You're going to Leclerc)
- Elle va chez Afflelou (She's going to Afflelou)
3. Special Uses
A. À + Activities
- Je vais au ski (I'm going skiing)
- Elle va à la danse (She's going to dance class)
- Ils vont au tennis (They're going to play tennis)
B. Chez + Characteristics
- Chez les Français, le repas est un moment important de la journée (Among the French, meals are an important moment of the day)
- Chez les chats, le ronronnement est un signe de bien-être (In cats, purring is a sign of well-being)
- Chez les adolescents, l'usage du smartphone est très répandu (Among teenagers, smartphone use is very common)
4. Key Points to Master À and Chez
For Places: À
✓ Je vais à la banque (I'm going to the bank)
✓ Il est au bureau (He's at the office)
✓ Nous allons aux magasins (We're going to the stores)
For People: Chez
✓ Je vais chez le médecin (I'm going to the doctor's)
✓ Tu es chez Paul (You're at Paul's)
✓ Elle rentre chez elle (She's going to her place)
For Brands
✓ Chez Renault (family name) (at Renault's)
✓ À Carrefour (other brands) (to Carrefour)
✓ À la FNAC (with article) (to FNAC)
Special Cases
✓ Au ski (activities) (going skiing)
✓ Chez les jeunes (characteristics) (among young people)
✓ À la danse (activity location) (to dance class)
⚠️ Watch out for:
- Don't forget the contractions: à + le = au, à + les = aux
- For brands, always ask yourself if it's a family name
- If you're unsure about an activity, think about where it takes place
Exercises - À and Chez in French
Test your understanding with these progressive exercises!
A. Simple Recognition
Identify the correct preposition to use.
1.Je vais ___ la boulangerie.
2.Tu es ___ le médecin.
3.Nous allons ___ supermarché.
4.Elle est ___ ses grands-parents.
5.Ils vont ___ musée.
B. Brands
Choose the correct preposition for brands and stores.
1.Je fais mes courses ___ Carrefour.
2.Elle achète ses lunettes ___ Afflelou.
3.Nous allons ___ FNAC.
4.Tu achètes ta voiture ___ Renault.
5.Ils font leurs courses ___ Monoprix.
C. Complete the Sentences
Complete with the correct form (à, au, aux, chez).
1. Le matin, je vais boulangerie, puis le boucher.
2. Le weekend, nous allons souvent cinéma ou musées.
3. Marie est elle, pendant que Pierre est la bibliothèque.
D. Special Cases
Identify the correct usage in these special situations.
1.To say that I practice skiing, I say...
2.To talk about teenagers' habits in general...
3.To say that I take dance classes...
E. Complex Situations
Choose the correct formulation for these more complex situations.
1.How do you say you're in your boss's office?
2.You're talking about where your friend who owns a restaurant lives...
3.For a medical consultation at the hospital...
4.A hairdresser who works in a hair salon...
5.To buy bread in a bakery run by Mr. Dupont...