Beginner Unit 49:

Expressing in and to with countries and towns

Key points

In French the definite article (le, la or les) is normally used with names of countries: la France.
Towns, however, do not usually have an article: Paris.
When in English the words to and in are used with a country, you use en in front of a feminine country and à (plus le, la or les) in front of a masculine country.

In French the definite article (le, la or les) is normally used with names of countries:

J'aime bien la France

I really like France

J'habite l’Angleterre

I live in England

Towns, however, do not usually have a definite article :

Paris est la capitale de la France

Paris is the capital of France

Note

It's easy to forget to use an article in French because in English we do not use an article with the names of countries: La France - France.

When in English the words to and in are used with a country or continent, the rules in French are as follows. With feminine singular names, to or in are translated by en. No definite article is present:

Nous allons en France

We’re going to France

With masculine or plural names, to or in are translated by à. A definite article is always present:

Ils vont aller au Canada

They’re going to Canada

When using to and in with names of towns, à is used:

Elle travaille à Manchester

She works in Manchester

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