Look at these two examples:
Notice that to refer to a place previously mentioned in French, you use the pronoun y ('there').
Note also that "y" is placed before the conjugated verb.
Look at how "y" can replace locations introduced by the following prepositions: à, sur, chez, dans :
Paul est arrivé à Paris hier ? - Oui, Paul y est arrivé hier.Did Paul arrive in Paris yesterday? - Yes, Paul arrived there yesterday.
Elle a posé les clés sur la table ? - Oui, elle y a posé les clés.Did she put the keys on the table? - Yes, she put the keys there.
Tu passeras par chez elle ? - Oui, j'y passerai plus tard.Will you swing by her place ? - Yes, I'll swing by [there] later.
BUT
You cannot replace the expression "de + a place" by "y". You will always use "en" instead:
See En can replace de + phrase (adverbial pronoun)
and more advanced cases with Y can replace à + thing / object / location (adverbial pronoun)
Want to make sure your French sounds confident? We’ll map your knowledge and give you free lessons to focus on your gaps and mistakes. Start your Braimap today »
Learn more about these related French grammar topics
Examples and resources
Tu passeras par chez elle ? - Oui, j'y passerai plus tard.Will you swing by her place ? - Yes, I'll swing by [there] later.
Elle a posé les clés sur la table ? - Oui, elle y a posé les clés.Did she put the keys on the table? - Yes, she put the keys there.
Il vient de la piscine ? - Oui, il en vient.Is he coming from the swimming pool? - Yes, he is coming from there.
Depuis quand habite-t-il chez Laurent ? - Il y habite depuis janvier.Since when has he lived at Laurent's place? - He's lived there since January.
