What does au in French mean?

What is the meaning of the word au in French? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use au in French.

The word au in French means at the, as of, as at, Au, at, to, in, to, at, at, to, see you, before, away, away, belong to, with, with, -, -, powered by, on, to, to, on, my turn, your turn, his turn, her turn, our turn, their turn, 's turn, if + [indicative], by + [gerund], -, at, :, in [number]s, in groups of [number], keep refrigerated, thick, heavy, yet to be confirmed, buy for cash, buy with cash, use cash to buy, adapt for film, roadholding, grip, traction, assistant head, deputy head, deputy mayor, development aid, foreign aid, repatriation grant, drip-feed, go through with your ideas, follow through with your ideas, pursue your ideas, go to fight a losing battle, do your bit, go to work, muck in, go to the cinema, go to hell, go to beddy-byes, go to the land of nod, get to the bottom of things, be ovenproof, go to the front, go into battle, go to bed, be suitable for microwave cooking, be suitable for use in the microwave, go to heaven, go up to heaven, march in step, go to the toilet, go to bed, go and stand in the corner, go and get some supplies in, go and do a shop, go to a restaurant, eat out, go to the front of the class, fall apart, go off the road, go to work, go at a trot, hurry up, get back to the grindstone, get back to the daily grind, anticipate, go to meet, be heading for serious danger, face serious difficulties, head for serious difficulties, be heading for trouble, get straight to the point, go straight to 's heart, touch deeply, double, see through, see through to the end, go all the way, get to the bottom of things, cheese straws, belong in the past, be outdated, be outmoded, be obsolete, motive for murder, incentive to murder, emergency call, call for calm, call for help, cry for help, add grist to the mill, fit for work, third party insurance, wait to trip up, wait for a chance to trip up, catch in flight, catch in mid-air, bump into, at the least, right in the middle of, in the middle of the night, to the advantage of , to 's advantage, if needed, off the books, in the right place, at the right moment, at the right time, by, on the brink of , on the verge of, at the water's edge, on the verge of a nervous breakdown, on the verge of bankruptcy, about to go mad, at the seaside, by the seaside, verging on panic, by the roadside, on the verge of ruin, on the edge of the abyss, Let's get to work!, at the end, at the end of, after, after a while, after all, at the end of the day, on the line, at the world's end, at the ends of the earth, squarely, squared, just in case, in case does, on a case-by-case basis, if, in the middle, at the centre of , in the centre of, at the centre of, a hundredfold, one hundredfold, at the crack of dawn. To learn more, please see the details below.

Listen to pronunciation

Meaning of the word au

at the

(contraction de "à le") (position)

J'ai croisé ma voisine au supermarché ce midi. Ce soir, je vais au cinéma.

ⓘCette phrase n'est pas une traduction de la phrase originale. The man with the bowler hat over there is giving me a funny look.

as of, as at

(en date du)

(preposition: Relates noun or pronoun to another element of sentence--for example, "a picture of John," "She walked from my house to yours.")

J'aimerais un relevé des comptes au 30 juin 2016.

I would like a statement as of (or: as at) 30th June 2016.

Au

abréviation (symbole de l'or) (abbreviation)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Au est le symbole chimique de l'or.

Au is the chemical symbol for gold.

at

préposition (devant un lieu fixe) (location, general)

(preposition: Relates noun or pronoun to another element of sentence--for example, "a picture of John," "She walked from my house to yours.")

J'ai vu ma voisine à la poste. J'ai vu ma voisine au supermarché.

I saw my neighbour at the post office. I saw my neighbour at the supermarket.

to

préposition (vers un lieu)

(preposition: Relates noun or pronoun to another element of sentence--for example, "a picture of John," "She walked from my house to yours.")

Je vais à la poste. Je vais au supermarché.

I'm going to the post office. I'm off to the supermarket.

in

préposition (devant une ville : localisation) (location)

(preposition: Relates noun or pronoun to another element of sentence--for example, "a picture of John," "She walked from my house to yours.")

J'habite à Paris. Mon frère habite au Mans.

I live in Paris. My brother lives in Le Mans.

to

préposition (devant une ville : mouvement)

(preposition: Relates noun or pronoun to another element of sentence--for example, "a picture of John," "She walked from my house to yours.")

Je vais à Paris cet été.

I'm going to Paris this summer.

at

préposition (indique une heure)

(preposition: Relates noun or pronoun to another element of sentence--for example, "a picture of John," "She walked from my house to yours.")

On se voit lundi à 10 h. J'ai une réunion à 1 h alors il faut que je déjeune tôt.

I'll see you on Monday at 10 a.m.

at

préposition (pour indiquer une date) (occasion: general time)

(preposition: Relates noun or pronoun to another element of sentence--for example, "a picture of John," "She walked from my house to yours.")

Je verrai ma famille à Noël. Mon mari m'invite toujours dîner à la Saint Valentin.

My husband always takes me out to dinner on Valentine's day.

to

préposition (jusqu'à) (from one time to another)

(preposition: Relates noun or pronoun to another element of sentence--for example, "a picture of John," "She walked from my house to yours.")

Ce magasin est ouvert du lundi au vendredi. Je ne travaillerai pas de juin à septembre.

ⓘCette phrase n'est pas une traduction de la phrase originale. They'll be away November through March.

see you

préposition (pour indiquer une future rencontre) (informal)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")

Salut, à lundi ! À dans deux semaines !

See you (on) Monday! See you in two weeks!

before

préposition (pour indiquer le temps avant [qch])

(preposition: Relates noun or pronoun to another element of sentence--for example, "a picture of John," "She walked from my house to yours.")

À une semaine de l'élection, personne ne sait encore qui va être élu.

With the election a week away, the outcome is still anybody's guess.

away

préposition (pour indiquer la distance dans l'espace)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")

Mon travail est à 5 km de chez moi.

My work is five kilometres away from my home.

away

préposition (pour indiquer la distance dans le temps)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")

Mon travail est à 5 minutes de chez moi.

My work is five minutes away from my home.

belong to

préposition (indique la possession)

Cette voiture est à moi. Ne mange pas ces gâteaux, ils sont à Sophie. Julie est une bonne amie à moi.

Julie is a good friend of mine.

with

préposition (avec) (feature, clothing)

(preposition: Relates noun or pronoun to another element of sentence--for example, "a picture of John," "She walked from my house to yours.")

L'homme au chapeau m'a regardé toute la soirée.

The man in the hat was watching me all evening.

with

préposition (indique une caractéristique)

(preposition: Relates noun or pronoun to another element of sentence--for example, "a picture of John," "She walked from my house to yours.")

Valentin était un garçon au visage rond et rieur.

Valentin was a cheerful, round-faced boy.

-

préposition (contenant)

J'aime beaucoup le thé à la menthe.

I love mint tea.

-

préposition (indique le but)

C'est une tasse à thé.

This is a teacup.

powered by

préposition (précise avec quoi fonctionne [qch])

C'est un avion à réaction.

The plane is jet powered.

on

préposition (indique la manière)

(preposition: Relates noun or pronoun to another element of sentence--for example, "a picture of John," "She walked from my house to yours.")

Le bébé marche encore à quatre pattes.

ⓘCette phrase n'est pas une traduction de la phrase originale. He made his way through the darkened room by feel.

to

préposition (indique l'intention)

(preposition: Relates noun or pronoun to another element of sentence--for example, "a picture of John," "She walked from my house to yours.")

J'ai cette visite à faire aujourd'hui.

I've got a visit to make today.

to

préposition (introduit un complément indirect)

(preposition: Relates noun or pronoun to another element of sentence--for example, "a picture of John," "She walked from my house to yours.")

Tais-toi ! Je parle à ta mère.

Be quiet! I'm talking to your mother.

on

préposition (on compte jusqu'à...)

(preposition: Relates noun or pronoun to another element of sentence--for example, "a picture of John," "She walked from my house to yours.")

À 5, on allume la lumière et on crie : « Surprise ! ».

On 5, we turn on the light and shout "Surprise!"

my turn, your turn, his turn, her turn, our turn, their turn, 's turn

préposition (être au tour de...)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Allez, chéri, tu as assez joué à la console. C'est aux enfants de jouer maintenant ! - C'est à qui le tour ? - À moi !

Whose turn is it? - Mine!

if + [indicative]

préposition (si, quand)

(conjunction: Connects words, clauses, and sentences--for example, "and," "but," "because," "in order that.")

À l'entendre, il ne s'arrête jamais de travailler ! À choisir, je pense qu'il vaudrait mieux prendre ce modèle.

If you take him at his word, he never stops working.

by + [gerund]

préposition (à force de)

(preposition: Relates noun or pronoun to another element of sentence--for example, "a picture of John," "She walked from my house to yours.")

À trop faire le pitre, il s'est brûlé les ailes. À trop vouloir faire des économies de bouts de chandelle sur les matériaux de construction, il s'est retrouvé avec une maison sur le point de s'effondrer.

ⓘCette phrase n'est pas une traduction de la phrase originale. In "The Tortoise and the Hare", the hare loses the race through being too sure that he will win.

-

préposition (coûter)

- À combien sont les pommes ? - À 2,50 € le kilo.

The apples are priced at €2.50 a kilo.

at

préposition (indique l'âge)

(preposition: Relates noun or pronoun to another element of sentence--for example, "a picture of John," "She walked from my house to yours.")

En France, on peut commencer à conduire à 16 ans. Ma tante est devenue veuve à 41 ans.

My aunt was widowed at the age of 41.

:

préposition (dans un score)

La France l'a emporté 2 à 1 contre l'Italie.

France won 2:1 against Italy.

in [number]s, in groups of [number]

préposition (indique une association) (grouping)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Le professeur a demandé à ses élèves de travailler à 3 pour ce devoir. Je suis sûr qu'à quatre, on pourrait déplacer ce piano.

With four of us, I'm sure we'll be able to move that piano.

keep refrigerated

locution adjectivale (qui se conserve au frais)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

thick, heavy

locution adjectivale (très prononcé)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

Cet Allemand a un accent à couper au couteau ! Nous nous sommes perdus parce qu'il y avait du brouillard à couper au couteau.

yet to be confirmed

locution adjectivale (information... : pas confirmé)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Le joueur suédois devrait rejoindre le club français, mais c'est une information à prendre au conditionnel.

buy for cash, buy with cash, use cash to buy

locution verbale (acheter sans crédit)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

adapt for film

verbe transitif (transformer en film)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

roadholding, grip, traction

nom féminin (pneu : fait d'accrocher à la route)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

L'adhérence au sol d'un véhicule garantit sa tenue de route et constitue donc un important critère de sécurité.

assistant head, deputy head

(assistant de chef)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Les affaires courantes seront confiées à l'adjoint au chef le temps de l'absence du directeur.

deputy mayor

(aide du maire)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Nous sommes contents car c'est l'adjoint au maire, M. Martin, qui nous mariera et c'est un ami de la famille.

development aid, foreign aid

nom féminin (soutien financier, logistique) (uncountable)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

L'aide au développement est une action volontaire qui va vers les pays en voie de développement.

repatriation grant

nom féminin (aide financière pour retour au pays)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

L'aide au retour est versée aux immigrés pour faciliter leur retour dans leur pays d'origine.

drip-feed

locution verbale (figuré (fournir le nécessaire au fur et à mesure)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

On alimentera provisoirement ce patient au goutte-à-goutte.

go through with your ideas, follow through with your ideas, pursue your ideas

locution verbale (persévérer)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

go to fight a losing battle

locution verbale (figuré (accomplir une mission dangereuse)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

do your bit, go to work

locution verbale (travailler)

Ce boulanger va au charbon à partir de 4 heures du matin.

muck in

locution verbale (fournir un effort) (informal)

(phrasal verb, intransitive: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning and not taking direct object--for example, "make up" [=reconcile]: "After they fought, they made up.")

go to the cinema

locution verbale (aller voir un film) (UK)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

On va au cinéma voir le nouvel Almodovar ce soir ?

go to hell

locution verbale (marque une exaspération)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Lui et ses remarques blessantes, ils peuvent aller au diable !

go to beddy-byes, go to the land of nod

locution verbale (enfantin, familier (aller se coucher) (baby talk)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

get to the bottom of things

locution verbale (traiter dans son ensemble)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

be ovenproof

locution verbale (supporter la chaleur des fours)

Ce plat va au four.

go to the front

locution verbale (guerre : monter en première ligne) (war)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

go into battle

locution verbale (figuré (affronter l'adversité) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

go to bed

locution verbale (aller se coucher)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

be suitable for microwave cooking, be suitable for use in the microwave

locution verbale (supporter le passage au micro-ondes)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Prends ce plat, il va au micro-ondes et ne risque rien.

go to heaven, go up to heaven

locution verbale (mourir)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Papi est allé au paradis.

march in step

locution verbale (armée : synchroniser son pas)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Les soldats allaient au pas sur les Champs Élysées.

go to the toilet

locution verbale (familier, enfantin (aller aux toilettes) (UK)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

go to bed

locution verbale (argot (aller se coucher)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

go and stand in the corner

locution verbale (vieilli (être puni)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

go and get some supplies in, go and do a shop

locution verbale (familier, figuré (faire les courses) (informal)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Il n'y a plus rien dans le frigo, il faut aller au ravitaillement.

go to a restaurant, eat out

locution verbale (sortir manger au restaurant)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

go to the front of the class

locution verbale (école : présenter [qch] à toute la classe)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

fall apart

locution verbale (familier (Sport : tomber, perdre)

(phrasal verb, intransitive: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning and not taking direct object--for example, "make up" [=reconcile]: "After they fought, they made up.")

Face aux champions du monde, l'équipe est allée au tapis.

go off the road

locution verbale (familier (faire une sortie de route)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Si tu conduis comme ça par temps de pluie, tu vas aller au tas !

go to work

locution verbale (partir à son bureau)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

go at a trot

locution verbale (cheval : trotter)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Maintenant que tu te sens plus en confiance à cheval, va au trot.

hurry up

locution verbale (figuré (se dépêcher)

(phrasal verb, intransitive: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning and not taking direct object--for example, "make up" [=reconcile]: "After they fought, they made up.")

Allez au trot, les enfants. On va être en retard.

get back to the grindstone, get back to the daily grind

locution verbale (populaire (aller travailler) (informal)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

anticipate

locution verbale (anticiper [qch])

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Ces grands-parents vont au-devant des moindres désirs de leurs petits-enfants.

go to meet

locution verbale (aller à la rencontre de [qqn])

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Ils ne connaissent pas le quartier, je vais au-devant d'eux.

be heading for serious danger

locution verbale (devoir affronter des dangers)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

En partant à l'ascension de ce sommet par ce temps, ces alpinistes vont au-devant de graves dangers.

face serious difficulties, head for serious difficulties

locution verbale (devoir affronter des problèmes)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Avec l'arrivée de ce concurrent, l'entreprise va au-devant de graves difficultés.

be heading for trouble

locution verbale (s'exposer aux problèmes) (informal)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

get straight to the point

locution verbale (parler sans détour)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

J'irai droit au but : votre nouvelle proposition ne nous convient pas.

go straight to 's heart, touch deeply

locution verbale (toucher intimement)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Tes paroles me vont droit au cœur.

double

locution verbale (varier jusqu'au double)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

Selon les magasins, le prix de cet objet va du simple au double.

see through, see through to the end, go all the way

locution verbale (ne pas abandonner en chemin)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

get to the bottom of things

locution verbale (traiter dans son ensemble)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

cheese straws

locution verbale (feuilleté apéritif)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Elle a utilisé de l'emmental pour faire ses allumettes au fromage.

belong in the past

locution verbale (être terminé, clos)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

be outdated, be outmoded, be obsolete

locution verbale (être démodé)

motive for murder, incentive to murder

nom masculin (incitation à l'assassinat)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Cette déclaration est un véritable appel au meurtre.

emergency call

nom masculin (demande d'aide) (phone)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Les alpinistes ont entendu un appel au secours provenant de la crevasse.

call for calm

locution verbale (demander la retenue)

call for help, cry for help

locution verbale (demander de l'aide)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Prise dans les courants, elle appelait au secours.

add grist to the mill

(donner des arguments à [qqn]) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

fit for work

locution adjectivale (certifié comme pouvant travailler)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

Ce certificat médical montre qu'il est apte au service.

third party insurance

nom féminin (assurance automobile minimale) (uncountable)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

En optant pour une assurance au tiers, il choisit le minimum légal.

wait to trip up, wait for a chance to trip up

locution verbale (figuré, familier (surveiller, vouloir que [qqn] échoue) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

catch in flight, catch in mid-air

locution verbale (attraper [qch] qui vole)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

J'ai attrapé le ballon au vol.

bump into

locution verbale (figuré (attraper au hasard, par chance) (figurative)

(phrasal verb, transitive, inseparable: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning, not divisible--for example,"go with" [=combine nicely]: "Those red shoes don't go with my dress." NOT [S]"Those red shoes don't go my dress with."[/S])

J'ai attrapé le facteur au vol et ai pu lui remettre ma lettre.

at the least

locution adverbiale (courant, figuré (au moins)

right in the middle of

(pendant [qch])

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Mon collègue est venu me chercher au beau milieu de la réunion.

in the middle of the night

locution adverbiale (en pleine nuit, très tard)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Il m'a appelé au beau milieu de la nuit.

to the advantage of , to 's advantage

(à l’avantage de)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

if needed

locution adverbiale (soutenu (si nécessaire)

off the books

locution adverbiale (familier (sans être déclaré) (informal)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Mon plombier m'a réparé mon chauffe-eau au black. J'ai fait faire des travaux chez moi au black.

in the right place

locution adverbiale (là où il faut)

at the right moment, at the right time

locution adverbiale (quand il faut)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

by

(près de)

(preposition: Relates noun or pronoun to another element of sentence--for example, "a picture of John," "She walked from my house to yours.")

Julie est restée toute la journée au bord de la piscine. Au Portugal, j'ai vu certains pêcheurs juste au bord de la falaise.

Julie stayed by the pool all day.

on the brink of , on the verge of

(figuré (près de) (figurative)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Avec toutes ces commandes, les stocks sont au bord de la rupture.

Due to all of these orders stock is on the verge of being exhausted.

at the water's edge

locution adverbiale (sur une plage, une berge, une rive)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

on the verge of a nervous breakdown

locution adverbiale (sur le point de s'effondrer)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Avec tous ces soucis qui se cumulent, Annie est au bord de la crise de nerfs.

on the verge of bankruptcy

locution adverbiale (sur le point de faire banqueroute)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Cette entreprise est au bord de la faillite.

about to go mad

locution adverbiale (sur le point de sombrer dans la démence)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

She's not totally insane, but definitely borderline.

at the seaside, by the seaside

locution adverbiale (sur les côtes) (UK)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Nous passerons l'été au bord de la mer.

We will spend the summer at the seaside.

verging on panic

locution adverbiale (qui frôle la terreur)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

by the roadside

locution adverbiale (le long du chemin)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

on the verge of ruin

locution adverbiale (figuré (proche du désastre)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

on the edge of the abyss

locution adverbiale (figuré (frôler une catastrophe) (figurative)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Gérard a perdu son travail, a été plaqué par sa femme et va bientôt perdre sa maison, il est au bord du gouffre.

Let's get to work!

interjection (familier (Au travail !)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

at the end

locution adverbiale (à l'extrémité, à la fin)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")

Suivez cette avenue et vous trouverez le musée au bout.

Follow this road and you will find the museum at the end.

at the end of

(espace : au fond de)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Les toilettes se trouvent au bout du couloir.

The toilets are at the end of the corridor.

after

(temps : après)

(preposition: Relates noun or pronoun to another element of sentence--for example, "a picture of John," "She walked from my house to yours.")

Au bout de deux jours, le petit garçon allait déjà beaucoup mieux.

After two days, the little boy was already much better.

after a while

locution adverbiale (après un certain temps)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")

after all

(figuré (à la fin)

Continue à travailler, il y a un contrat au bout du chemin !

at the end of the day

locution adverbiale (à la fin, finalement) (cliché)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Au bout du compte, ce film fut intéressant.

At the end of the day, the film was interesting.

on the line

locution adverbiale (familier (au téléphone)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

J'ai décroché, mais il n'y avait personne au bout du fil. // - Allô, bonjour, c'est Agathe au bout du fil...

"Hello, it's Agatha here."

at the world's end, at the ends of the earth

locution adverbiale (loin) (location)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Pour leur voyage de noces, ils sont allés au bout du monde.

For their honeymoon, they went to the world's end.

squarely

locution adverbiale (à angle droit)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")

J'aime bien quand Sophie se fait faire une coupe de cheveux au carré.

squared

locution adverbiale (multiplié par lui-même)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

3 au carré donne 9.

just in case

locution adverbiale (familier (si nécessaire)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Martin a toujours une boîte d'ampoules dans sa voiture au cas où.

Martin always has spare bulbs in his car, just in case.

in case does

locution conjonction (familier (si [qch] advenait)

(conjunction: Connects words, clauses, and sentences--for example, "and," "but," "because," "in order that.")

Prends un parapluie au cas où il pleuvrait.

Take an umbrella in case it rains.

on a case-by-case basis

locution adverbiale (de façon individualisée)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Les réponses seront adaptées au cas par cas.

if

locution conjonction (littéraire, vieilli (si)

(conjunction: Connects words, clauses, and sentences--for example, "and," "but," "because," "in order that.")

in the middle

locution adverbiale (au milieu)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Les enfants faisaient une ronde avec les animateurs au centre.

The children made a circle with the group leaders in the middle.

at the centre of , in the centre of

(au milieu de) (UK)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Les églises se trouvent souvent au centre de la ville.

at the centre of

(figuré (impliqué dans [qch]) (UK, figurative)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Ce sénateur est au centre de ce scandale.

a hundredfold, one hundredfold

locution adverbiale (cent fois plus)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")

at the crack of dawn

locution adverbiale (au lever du jour)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Les enfants étaient debout au chant du coq ce matin.

Let's learn French

So now that you know more about the meaning of au in French, you can learn how to use them through selected examples and how to read them. And remember to learn the related words that we suggest. Our website is constantly updating with new words and new examples so you can look up the meanings of other words you don't know in French.

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Do you know about French

French (le français) is a Romance language. Like Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish, it comes from popular Latin, once used in the Roman Empire. A French-speaking person or country can be called a "Francophone". French is the official language in 29 countries. French is the fourth most spoken native language in the European Union. French ranks third in the EU, after English and German, and is the second most widely taught language after English. The majority of the world's French-speaking population lives in Africa, with about 141 million Africans from 34 countries and territories who can speak French as a first or second language. French is the second most widely spoken language in Canada, after English, and both are official languages at the federal level. It is the first language of 9.5 million people or 29% and the second language of 2.07 million people or 6% of the entire population of Canada. In contrast to other continents, French has no popularity in Asia. Currently, no country in Asia recognizes French as an official language.