One of the trickiest parts of learning French is knowing which preposition to use when talking about where you are going and how you are travelling. The good news is that there are some useful patterns you can learn.

Talking about places

When saying you are going somewhere, French uses different prepositions depending on the place.

Use “en” with feminine countries

Most countries ending in -e are feminine.

• Je vais en France. — I’m going to France.
• Nous allons en Espagne. — We are going to Spain.

Use “au” with masculine countries

Masculine countries usually do not end in -e.

• Il va au Portugal. — He is going to Portugal.
• Tu vas au Japon ? — Are you going to Japan?

Use “aux” with plural countries

• Elles vont aux États-Unis. — They are going to the United States.

Use “à” with towns and cities

• On va à Rome. — We are going to Rome.
• Je vais à Paris demain. — I’m going to Paris tomorrow.

Talking about transport

French also uses prepositions when describing how you travel.

Use “en” for most forms of transport

• Je voyage en avion. — I travel by plane.
• Nous allons en train. — We are going by train.
• Elle voyage en voiture. — She travels by car.

Use “à” for smaller or individual transport

• Il va à moto. — He goes by motorbike.
• Tu viens à vélo ? — Are you coming by bike?
• Je vais à pied. — I go on foot.

A quick tip 🌟

A useful way to remember this is:

• en → inside something bigger (en France, en avion)
• à → cities or smaller ways of travelling (à Rome, à vélo)

The more examples you read and practise, the more natural these little words will become!