'Y' & 'En'
French: AQA GCSE (2025 Exams), topic 6.2.6
Using 'Y' and 'En'
Uses of 'y'
- 'Y' can be used to mean there.
- 'Y' is used to talk about a location that has already been mentioned.
- Je travaille à l'université → J'y travaille.
- I work for the universirty → I work there.
- 'Y' can also mean 'it' or 'them' with verbs that are followed by 'à'.
- Je pense aux vacances → J'y pense.
- I'm thinking about the holidays → I'm thinking about it.
More uses of 'y'
- 'Y' is also used in some common expressions.
- Il y a...
- There is...
- Vas-y.
- Do it!, go on!
- Allons-y, on y va.
- Let's go.
En - of it, of them, some, any
- 'En' has a variety of meanings depending on the context.
- 'En' replaces words about quantity and any words with 'de'.
- J'ai besoin de pain → J'en ai besoin.
- I need bread → I need it.
- J'ai mangé du gâteau → J'en ai mangé.
- I ate some cake → I ate some.
Test yourself on 'Y' & 'En'
How do you say 'I need it' in French?
Which one of these is NOT the correct use of 'en'?