When you're learning French, 'là' and 'y' are probably the first ways you'll learn to say 'there'. But while they're incredibly common, the French language offers several other fascinating and useful expressions to convey the idea of 'there'.

Mastering these variations will not only make your French sound more natural but also allow you to express location and presence with greater precision.

Ready to expand your vocabulary? Let's dive into 9 different ways to say 'there' in French!

The general 'there' (often specific or demonstrative) – là

Là is the most common and versatile French word for "there." It generally refers to a specific place, often one that is visible or clearly understood from context, indicating a more concrete "there."

Its primary use is to point to a physical location. Unlike the adverbial pronoun y (which often replaces a previously mentioned place and can imply "there" or "in it"), là is more direct and demonstrative, often pointing to something specific.

Là is frequently used in contrast with ici ("here") to describe "here and there" (ici et là) or to specify "that one there" when differentiating from something closer.

It serves to reinforce demonstrative adjectives and pronouns. For example, cet homme-là (that man there) or celui-là (that one/that one there) adds a layer of specificity or distance.

Beyond location, là can also refer to a specific point in time, meaning "then" or "at that moment," particularly when discussing past events or a sequence of actions.

It can add emphasis to a statement or be used in exclamatory phrases, conveying immediacy, presence, or even impatience, such as Eh bien, là ! (Well, really!).

Là appears in many common expressions, highlighting its versatility. For example, être là means "to be present" or "to be available," and Ça y est, je suis là can mean "That's it, I'm here/ready."

💡 * C'est là que nous nous sommes rencontrés. (That's where we met.)

Mets tes chaussures là, s'il te plaît. (Put your shoes there, please.)

Je suis là pour toi. (I'm here for you.)

À ce moment-là, tout a changé. (At that moment, everything changed.)

Regarde ce tableau-là, il est magnifique. (Look at that painting there, it's magnificent.)

The more distant 'over there' – là-bas

When you want to refer to something that is 'over there' or 'down there' but implies a greater distance than a simple là, the French adverb you're looking for is là-bas.

While là can mean both 'here' and 'there' (often indicating proximity), là-bas specifically conveys a sense of further distance, pointing to a place that is distinctly 'over yonder' or 'far away'.

It's commonly used when indicating a physical location that isn't immediately within reach or sight. Think of pointing across a room, down the street, or even to another city or country.

Beyond physical locations, là-bas can also be used metaphorically to refer to a more abstract 'there,' like 'back home' when you're abroad, or even to a past time or event that feels distant.

As an adverb, là-bas is invariable. It doesn't change its form based on gender or number, making it straightforward to use once you understand its core meaning of 'over there, far away'.

The key takeaway for là-bas is always that added layer of distance. It's not just 'there,' it's distinctly 'over there,' emphasizing a greater separation from the speaker.

💡 * Regarde l'oiseau, là-bas, dans l'arbre. (Look at the bird, over there, in the tree.)

J'ai laissé mes clés là-bas sur la table. (I left my keys over there on the table.)

Mes parents habitent là-bas, en Bretagne. (My parents live over there, in Brittany.)

Qu'est-ce qu'il y a là-bas ? (What's over there?)

Je ne veux pas aller là-bas. (I don't want to go over there.)

The adverbial pronoun 'there' (replacing a place, often with verbs like 'aller', 'être') – y

The French adverbial pronoun y is a versatile little word that primarily means 'there' or 'to that place.' It's used to replace a place that has already been mentioned or is understood from context, helping to avoid repetition in your sentences.

Its main function is to replace a noun referring to a place, especially when that place is introduced by prepositions like à, en, dans, sur, or chez. Think of it as standing in for phrases like 'at the office,' 'in Paris,' or 'to my friend's house.'

Like other French object pronouns, y is placed before the conjugated verb. In compound tenses (like passé composé), it goes before the auxiliary verb (avoir or être). If there's an infinitive, it usually goes before the infinitive.

Y is very frequently used with verbs of movement or existence in a place, such as aller (to go), être (to be), habiter (to live), travailler (to work), and rester (to stay). For example, instead of 'Je vais à Paris', you'd say 'J'y vais' (I'm going there).

While often replacing a physical place, y can also replace an idea or concept, especially when it's introduced by the preposition à. For instance, penser à quelque chose (to think about something) becomes y penser (to think about it).

It's important not to confuse y with the adverb là (there). While both can mean 'there,' y is a pronoun that replaces a previously mentioned noun representing a place or idea, whereas là is a simple adverb indicating a general location, often pointing physically.

💡 * Tu vas à la bibliothèque ? Oui, j'y vais. (Are you going to the library? Yes, I'm going there.)

Elle habite à Paris depuis dix ans. Elle y est très heureuse. (She has lived in Paris for ten years. She is very happy there.)

Pensez-vous à votre voyage ? Oui, j'y pense souvent. (Are you thinking about your trip? Yes, I often think about it.)

Il est allé au supermarché ? Non, il n'y est pas encore allé. (Did he go to the supermarket? No, he hasn't gone there yet.)

Nous allons y rester une semaine. (We are going to stay there for a week.)

The 'in there' (referring to inside a place or object) – là-dedans

The French adverbial pronoun là-dedans translates to 'in there' or 'inside it/them' in English. It's used to refer to the interior of a previously mentioned place or object.

Unlike the more general dedans ('inside'), là-dedans specifically points to the inside of a particular thing or location that has already been identified in the conversation or context. It adds a sense of 'over there' or 'that specific one'.

Là-dedans is an invariable expression, meaning it doesn't change its form based on gender or number. It always remains the same, regardless of whether it refers to a singular or plural, masculine or feminine noun.

💡 * J'ai mis les livres dans la boîte. Ils sont tous là-dedans. (I put the books in the box. They are all in there.)

Regarde dans le sac, tes clés sont peut-être là-dedans. (Look in the bag, your keys might be in there.)

Il y a du bruit dans la maison. Qu'est-ce qui se passe là-dedans ? (There's noise in the house. What's happening in there?)

Le gâteau est au four. Il cuit bien là-dedans. (The cake is in the oven. It's cooking well in there.)

The 'out there' (referring to outside a place or object) – là-dehors

Là-dehors is an adverbial phrase meaning "out there" or "outside," emphasizing a location that is external to a specific place or object.

It's often used to refer to the general outdoors, the world outside, or a location that is distinctly separate from the speaker's current position. It carries a sense of 'over there' or 'in that place outside'.

As an adverb, là-dehors is invariable, meaning it doesn't change form based on gender or number.

While similar to dehors (outside), là-dehors adds a stronger emphasis on a specific, often broader, or more distant 'outside world'. Dehors can simply mean 'out' or 'outdoors', while là-dehors points to a more defined 'there, outside'.

Use là-dehors when you want to specifically point to an external location, often with a sense of the unknown, the wild, or simply 'not in here'.

💡 * Il fait froid là-dehors. (It's cold out there.)

Qu'est-ce qui se passe là-dehors ? (What's happening out there?)

Les enfants jouent là-dehors. (The children are playing out there.)

J'ai entendu un bruit étrange là-dehors. (I heard a strange noise out there.)

La vie est dure là-dehors. (Life is hard out there.)

The 'on the spot' or 'on site' (emphasizing physical presence at a location) – sur place

In French, the phrase sur place literally translates to 'on site' or 'on the spot.' It is used to emphasize physical presence at a specific location, indicating that an action or event is taking place at that very location rather than elsewhere.

Unlike the English 'on the spot,' which can sometimes imply immediate action (e.g., 'he answered on the spot'), sur place exclusively refers to a geographical or physical presence. It highlights that something is available, occurring, or being done at the location in question.

One of the most frequent uses of sur place is in food service. When ordering, you'll often be asked if you're eating sur place (to eat in) or à emporter (to take away). This clearly distinguishes between consuming your meal at the establishment or elsewhere.

Sur place also applies to services or events. For instance, if you can buy tickets sur place, it means you can purchase them at the venue itself. Similarly, a technician might come sur place to fix something, meaning they will perform the repair at your location.

Ultimately, whenever you encounter sur place, think of it as stressing the idea of being there or happening there. It's a precise way to specify that an activity or object is situated at the current or mentioned location.

💡 * Voulez-vous manger sur place ou à emporter ? (Do you want to eat here or take away?)

Les billets sont disponibles sur place le jour du concert. (Tickets are available on site the day of the concert.)

Le technicien viendra sur place demain matin. (The technician will come to your location tomorrow morning.)

Nous avons décidé de rester sur place pour la nuit. (We decided to stay on site for the night.)

The formal 'at that location' or 'in that spot' – à cet endroit

The phrase à cet endroit literally translates to “at this place” or “in this spot,” and is used to formally refer to a specific location.

It’s a more formal way to say 'here' or 'there' when you want to be precise about a particular spot, often found in written instructions, official documents, or when speaking with a higher degree of politeness.

While ici (here) or là (there) are common for general locations, à cet endroit emphasizes a specific point within a larger area, making it more precise and less ambiguous in formal contexts.

💡 * Veuillez déposer les documents à cet endroit. (Please deposit the documents at this location.)

Il est interdit de fumer à cet endroit. (It is forbidden to smoke in this spot.)

Les fouilles archéologiques ont révélé des artefacts importants à cet endroit. (Archaeological digs revealed important artifacts at this location.)

Nous nous retrouverons à cet endroit précis à midi. (We will meet at this precise spot at noon.)

The literary 'in this very place' or 'at that locale' – en ce lieu

The literary 'in this very place' or 'at that locale' – en ce lieu

The phrase en ce lieu directly translates to 'in this place' or 'at this locale'. It is characterized by its formal and often literary tone.

Unlike the more common and informal ici (here) or là (there), en ce lieu is used to specify a particular location with a sense of gravity or historical significance. You'll typically find it in written works, speeches, or very formal discourse.

While ici and là are versatile adverbs of place, en ce lieu functions as a prepositional phrase, often emphasizing the specific and unique nature of the 'place' being referred to, rather than just its general proximity.

💡 * En ce lieu historique, de grands événements se sont déroulés. (In this historic place, great events unfolded.)* Le monument a été érigé en ce lieu pour commémorer la paix. (The monument was erected at this locale to commemorate peace.)* Nous nous retrouvons en ce lieu sacré chaque année. (We gather in this sacred place every year.)* Il a juré de ne jamais revenir en ce lieu maudit. (He swore never to return to this cursed place.)

The 'up there' (referring to a higher location) – là-haut

The French adverb là-haut translates directly to "up there" or "up above". It is used to indicate a location that is physically higher than the speaker's current position, often implying a certain distance or elevation.

Là-haut can refer to a variety of higher places, from something on a tall shelf to something in the sky or on a mountain. It conveys a sense of being elevated and often out of immediate reach or sight, emphasizing the direction and the height.

While both refer to a higher position, là-haut is more general, meaning "up there". In contrast, en haut typically means "upstairs" within a building or "at the top" of something specific (e.g., a page, a list, a hill). Là-haut carries a stronger sense of distance and a broader application to any elevated spot.

To emphasize an even greater height or distance, là-haut can be intensified with tout. For example, tout là-haut means "way up there" or "all the way up". This reinforces the idea of a significant elevation.

💡 * Regarde l'oiseau, il est là-haut dans le ciel. (Look at the bird, it's up there in the sky.)

Mes vieux livres sont rangés tout là-haut sur l'étagère. (My old books are stored way up there on the shelf.)

Le chalet se trouve là-haut, sur la montagne. (The chalet is located up there, on the mountain.)

Il y a un nid d'aigle quelque part là-haut. (There's an eagle's nest somewhere up there.)

On a une vue magnifique d'ici, mais la vue est encore meilleure là-haut. (We have a magnificent view from here, but the view is even better up there.)

Are there other ways to say 'there' in French?

Are there other ways to say “there” in French?

Our list features the most common ways to say “there” in French. However, the French language is rich with nuances for expressing location, existence, and presence, which might lead to other terms depending on the specific context.

You can also do an online search for “comment dire là en ___” followed by a specific Francophone country or region to discover local expressions.

You might find some interesting synonyms or idiomatic expressions for 'there' on this list. Of course, make sure to check a word’s definition and try to see it used in context before you use it.

Pay attention as you read, watch, and listen to things in French — you may discover different ways to express location or presence, going beyond the simple 'there'.

And if you’re looking for more nuanced ways to express location, existence, or even a state of being in French, the WordReference entry for là is a great place to start, along with entries for verbs like être and y avoir.

I hope you found this article helpful. Here’s a thought from Antoine de Saint-Exupéry that beautifully connects to the idea of 'there' and existence: On ne voit bien qu'avec le cœur. L'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux. (One sees clearly only with the heart. What is essential is invisible to the eye.) While not directly about 'there', it reminds us that sometimes 'there' is more than just a physical location.

9 ways to say "there" in French