Chapter 30: The Tiny Titans

Two tiny letters that replace entire phrases. Meet Y (There) and En (Some/Of it).

Y

Replaces: À + Thing / Place

Je vais à Paris. -> J'y vais.

(I go there.)

EN

Replaces: De + Thing / Quantity

Je veux du chocolat. -> J'en veux.

(I want some.)

Dialogue: Le Voyage

Planning a trip to Italy.

Anne

Tu vas en Italie cet été ?

(Are you going to Italy this summer?)

Oui, j'y vais en juillet. Et toi ? Tu en viens, non ?

(Yes, I'm going there in July. And you? You come from there, right?)

Ben

Anne

Oui, je reviens de Rome. J'en ai de bons souvenirs !

(Yes, I'm coming back from Rome. I have some good memories of it!)

Le Coin Culturel: L'Économie des Mots

Why use Y and En? Because French speakers value flow and speed. Saying "Je vais au supermarché" is long. "J'y vais" is short and snappy. Once the context is set, switch to pronouns immediately!

The Logic Check

Look at the preposition. That tells you the answer.

Tu vas au cinéma? (Do you go to the cinema?)

Tu as de la chance? (Do you have luck?)

Tu viens de France? (Do you come from France?)

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