👉 See also: À l’égard de (toward, regarding) – Word of the Day »
Level B1 (Intermediate)
Both vers and envers translate to “towards,” but their subtle difference often confuses French learners. This lesson will clarify when to use vers for places and time, and envers specifically for people. You’ll learn:
Meaning
Pronunciation
Vers example sentences
Envers example sentences
Meaning
Both vers and envers can translate to “towards” in English, but their usage depends on the target. Vers is primarily used to indicate direction towards a place or approximation concerning time (e.g., “towards the city,” “around noon”). In contrast, envers is exclusively used to denote direction or attitude towards people (e.g., “towards their kids,” “towards the employees”).
Pronunciation
Vers example sentences
Towards, in the direction of
The most common use of vers is ‘towards’ or ‘in the direction of’ a place. The reflexive verb se diriger vers means ‘to head towards (or for)’.
Je marche vers la plage.
I’m walking towards the beach.
Around + time
Another common use of vers is around + time. In this context, translations of vers include: ‘around’, ‘about’, ‘at around’ and ‘at about’.
Nous arrivons chez vous vers midi.
We arriving at your place around noon.
Envers example sentences
Towards + people
These final two example sentences use envers + people. Translations of envers are ‘towards’ and simply ‘to’.
Les parents sont très généreux envers leurs enfants.
The parents are very generous towards their kids.
Les profs sont parfois trop sévères envers les étudiants.
Teachers are sometimes too strict towards the students.
Word origin
The French word vers comes from the Latin word versus (towards, in the direction of).
Related lessons
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