where

Most French learners are familiar with the word for “where,” which is “où.” But how do you say “somewhere,” “nowhere,” “anywhere,” “everywhere,” “elsewhere,” and similar words?

  • where – où
    • Où sont les toilettes ? (Where is the toilet?)
  • somewhere – quelque part
    • Tu as quelque part où dormir ce soir ? (You have somewhere to sleep tonight?)
  • nowhere – nulle part
    • Le chemin ne menait nulle part (The path led nowhere)
  • nowhere near – loin, loin d’être
    • Loin d’être assez grand (Nowhere near big enough)
    • La gare est loin de la cathédrale (The train station is nowhere near the cathedral)
  • anywhere – quelque part, nulle part (with negative), où, n’importe où
    • Avez-vous un cintre quelque part ? (Do you have a coat hanger anywhere?)
    • Tu ne peux aller nulle part (You can’t go anywhere)
    • Où tu veux (Anywhere you like)
    • Le chat peut se cacher n’importe où dans la maison (The cat can hide anywhere in the house)
  • everywhere – partout
    • Il a voyagé partout (He’s been everywhere)
  • elsewhere – ailleurs, autre part
    • Il vient d’ailleurs (It comes from elsewhere)
    • Il faut chercher autre part (You have to look elsewhere/somewhere else)

Don’t miss new articles!

Get 1 email a week with new articles about French

We don’t spam! Read more in our privacy policy

Similar Posts

  • il me faut

    The French phrase “il me faut” means “I need.” Literally translated, it means “it to me is necessary.” Versions also exist for you, he/she, we, you (formal/plural) and they. This is an alternative to the expression “avoir besoin de” (to have need of). “Il me faut” is always followed by a noun. It is never…

  • save

    How do you translate “to save” into French? It depends on what you’re saving. If you’re saving someone in the sense of rescuing them, use “sauver.” If you’re saving money by spending less, use “économiser.” If you’re saving money by putting money aside, then use “épargner.” If you’re saving time, use “gagner.” If you’re saving…

  • pour des prunes

    “Pour des prunes” is a French expression that literally means “for plums.” Its closest English equivalent is “for nothing.” The saying dates from the start of the 16th century. However, the association of plums with a complete lack of value dates back to the end of the Second Crusade, which finished around 1150 AD and was…