Usage of en I don't understand

Michelle P.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

This is a line from an old song--> "Qu'il y'en a un sur deux qui n'est jamais heureux."

What does en do/mean here?

Asked 6 years ago

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

Qu'il y en a un sur deux qui n'est jamais heureux. -- That there is one in two who is never happy.

When you want to express that there is a certain number of something, you use il y en a...

Je dois acheter du lait? -- Non, il y en a encore un litre.
Combien de plats sont sur la table? -- Il y en a quatre.

Like16 years ago

Michelle P.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Thank you so much, Chris! I understood everything about this sentence but the usage of en. Now it all makes perfect sense.

Like06 years ago

Adewonuola D.B1Kwiziq community member

Like05 years ago

This is a line from an old song--> "Qu'il y'en a un sur deux qui n'est jamais heureux."

What does en do/mean here?

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard