Today’s lesson explains how to use au-dessus (above, over, on top of) vs. en dessous (underneath, below). I strongly suggest watching the video explanation at the bottom of this page.
au-dessus, en dessous
above, on top of, underneath, below
Au-dessus vs. en dessous
Explanation
The prepositons sur means “on” and sous means “under”. For example, le chat est sur/sous le lit (the cat is on/under the chair).
Au-dessus de translates to “on top of” or “above”. For Au-dessus de, the object in the upper position does not necessarily have contact or touch the lower object. Hence, le chat est au-dessus du lit (the cat is above the bed).
Both en dessous de and au dessous de, meaning “underneath” are the opposite of au-dessus de. Hence, le chat au (or en) dessous du lit (the cat is beneath the bed).
Example sentences
1) On top of, above, on
These first two examples look at sur and au-dessus de.
La tasse est sur la table.
The cup is on the table.
La tasse est au-dessus de la table.
The cup is on top of (or above) the table.
When standing on its own, dessus means “on top of it”. For example:
Où est le chat ? – Il est dessus.
Where’s the cat? He’s on top of it?
2) Below, underneath, under
These next two sentences show the very subtle difference between sous and en dessous de.
Le chat est sous le lit.
The cat is under the bed.
Le chat est en dessous du lit.
The cat is underneath the bed.
On its own, dessous means “under it”. For example:
Où est le chat ? Il est dessous.
Where’s the cat? He’s under it.
Video lesson
Géraldine Lepère from Comme une Française does a great job explaining au-dessus vs. en dessous. I suggest watching and pausing her video several times until you get it!
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