Use of word 'pleins'

Paris K.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Use of word 'pleins'

hi room, experts: 

Please explain why sentence, 'And it was with stars in my eyes that I came out of that magical place!' translates as,  Et c'est avec des étoiles plein les yeux que je suis sortie de ce lieu magique

My question refers to the usage of the word, 'pleins'. I am wondering if 'pleins' is being used as a preposition here in the same way that 'dans' is, and if so can it be used as an alternative in other case too.

Please clarify, Thanks

Asked 4 years ago
Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

No, plein isn't a preposition, it means "full of":

le coeur plein de joie. -- The heart full of joy.

--> (Read on for a more detailed discussion.)

Alan G.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

In the word order given by Paris, it does function as a preposition.

https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/plein#Preposition

In this context, it's invariable, so it should be plein, not pleins.

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

There are two ways to say this:

Des étoiles plein les yeux. -- Here, plein functions as a preposition. This is, however, apparently a bit colloquial, and could be translated as "stars all over his eyes."
Les yeux pleins d'étoiles. -- In this case pleins is an adjective and is matched to les yeux.

Alan G.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

See also http://ddlf.fr/dictionnaire/p/plein/

Use of word 'pleins'

hi room, experts: 

Please explain why sentence, 'And it was with stars in my eyes that I came out of that magical place!' translates as,  Et c'est avec des étoiles plein les yeux que je suis sortie de ce lieu magique

My question refers to the usage of the word, 'pleins'. I am wondering if 'pleins' is being used as a preposition here in the same way that 'dans' is, and if so can it be used as an alternative in other case too.

Please clarify, Thanks

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