Je vais au travail en bus.
English: I go to work by bus.
- Language
- French
- Level
- A2
- Unit
- Prépositions
- Practice types
- 0
What this grammar point covers
In French, prepositions are small words used with means of transport to say how you travel. The choice of preposition depends on the type of transport.
When to use it
Use these prepositions when you want to say how you go somewhere (for example, by car, by train, on foot).
Key forms
- en + transport (for most vehicles): en voiture, en train, en avion
- à + transport (for bicycles, motorcycles, horses, and walking): à vélo, à moto, à cheval, à pied
Examples
Nous partons en avion.
English: We leave by plane.
Il va à l'école à vélo.
English: He goes to school by bike.
Elle se promène à pied.
English: She walks (goes on foot).
Tu voyages en train.
English: You travel by train.
Tips
- Use 'en' with most vehicles that you get inside (car, train, plane, bus, etc.).
- Use 'à' for means of transport you sit or stand on (bike, horse, foot, etc.).
- Do not use 'dans' or 'sur' with transport unless you want to say exactly where you are (inside/on top of).
Exceptions and edge cases
- For 'à pied' (on foot), always use 'à', never 'en'.
- Some transports are always used with a specific preposition: 'à moto', 'à cheval', 'en métro'.