How French works
Beginner Unit 68:

The pronoun y

Key points

  • The word y refers to a place already mentioned and often has the meaning of there.
  • It can also have the meaning of to it / them and in it / them.

The pronoun y refers to a place already mentioned and often has the meaning of there (although it is often not translated in English):

Pierre habite à Paris   →   Pierre y habite

Pierre lives in Paris - Pierre lives there

Elle va en ville.   →   Elle y va dans une heure

She going into town - She’s going in an hour

It can also have the meaning of to it / them, in it / them etc.:

Elle s’habitue à sa nouvelle école   →   Elle s’y habitue

She’s getting used to her new school - She’s getting used to it

Je m’intéresse à l’informatique   →  Je m’y intéresse

I’m interested in computing - I’m interested in it.

Le professeur répond à ma question   →   Elle y répond

The teacher answers my question - She answers it

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How French Works was written and coded by Chris Dawson.