French help (when to use à vs dans)?

Question

In French, when does à mean in. and compare it with dans?

Besides en, i need help with à vs dans. sometimes im expecting à and i get dans. alot of times when im expecting dans i see à .

when do i know when to use à and when to use dans.

like-God created man in his image

Dieu a cree l'homme à son image. why isnt dans

and also Notre pere qui es aux cieux-why isnt it Notre pere qui es dans le ciel.

please help, cause im am confused.

Answer 1

Les Cieux sont un lieu de résidence.

De même qu'on dit je suis aux Etats Unis, eh bien Dieu, lui, est aux Cieux.

Answer 2

"Dans" is usually used to mean "inside" whereas "à" can be used for "inside, to (verb of movement+to)" and "at": TO be at school= être à l'école. However, there is no specific rule: you have to learn each verb with its preposition.

"Les cieux" is an old and poetic saying (you'll find it in poems and some novels). It usually had religious connotations.

"Notre père qui êtes aux cieux" because you "vouvoies" God in French. (vous êtes and not "tu es")

Hope this helps!