"sur" vs. "en dessus de"

Helena F.B2Kwiziq community member

"sur" vs. "en dessus de"

I translated "on top of" (the work surface) as "en dessus du" (plan de travail) rather than "sur le plan de travail".  When would you use "en dessus de" (or au-dessus de) instead of "sur"?

Asked 3 years ago
CécileNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hi Helena, 

I think you are mixing the expressions 

au dessus de = above 

en dessous de = below 

with 

sur = on top of 

So 'au dessus du plan de travail' would be above it rather on top of it.

Hope this helps!

 

Jim J.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Hi Helena,

"en dessus de" gives a sense of "above" or "supériorité" not necessarily in contact.

Antonyme:   dessous _ under

"sur" is more of a "position" sense where the item may be in contact with an elevated surface (actually on) something.

This is my understanding.

Hope it helps.

Jim

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

au dessus de -- above
sur -- on/on top of.

"sur" vs. "en dessus de"

I translated "on top of" (the work surface) as "en dessus du" (plan de travail) rather than "sur le plan de travail".  When would you use "en dessus de" (or au-dessus de) instead of "sur"?

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