Can anyone help me to understand French better, those little words....?

Question

I know I can't think of them all but where and when do I use these words and what exactly do they mean.

aux

au

des

de la

on

en

and there are some more that I forget.

I think they mean some of, etc

Any help welcome

Answer 1

rough translations...

aux = at the (followed by a plural word)

au = at the (followed by a singular masculine word)

des = of the or some (plural) J'aime des animaux. = I like some animals.

de la = of the or some (singular feminine)

on = one (as in any individual)

en = in

It's very difficult to explain when and where to use these without a full french lesson, as you don't always use them in the same way you would in English.

Hope this helps a bit

Answer 2

au/aux are contractions. "à le" = au  and "à les" = aux

So, instead of writing/saying "Je vais à le cinema" you have to say/write "Je vais au cinema."

de la, du, des:  These words are partitives, and mean "some."  (They are the feminine, masculine, and plural versions respectively.  du/des are contractions just like au/aux)

You use these words when you're talking about something, but not one particular something (then you'd use "the.")

ex:  Je veux des raisins = I want some grapes.  (In french, you cannot say "I want raisins" without the "some," like you can in English)

"On" is a neutral subject.  Like "One" or "People" in english. It is conjugated just like il/elle

ex: "On peut lire la placard." = "One can read the sign" of "The sign is readable."

ex: "On va au cinema, Samedi" = "One goes to the movies on Saturday" or "People go to the movies on Sunday"

That's only some of them - but I hope it helps!

Answer 3

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Answer 4

http://www.orbilat.com/Languages/French/...

Au (singular) and aux (plural) mean "to the", but that is a very rough translation.

Du, de la and des mean "of the"but also "some" -- eg "du lait" means "some milk" and "de la confiture" means "some jam" or even "milk" and "jam" generally.

On means "one", but in English it is rendered "you" or "we" or used for an abstract generality.  "On parle anglais ici" -- English is spoken here. "On va se promener?" How about going for a walk?

En is a preposition meaning "of it", "of them". Il y en a -- "there is some of it", "there are some of them".

Some of these little words are quite treacherous, as you realise!