The pronoun y in French

Read more about how to use The pronoun y in French.
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The pronoun y

Y is used:

• to replace phrases that describe places. It is normally translated by ’there’ in English.
- Tu es allé à la piscine? - Oui j’y suis allé ce matin. -Did you go to the swimming pool? -Yes, I went (there) this morning.
- Victor est chez le docteur ? - Oui, il y est. -Is Victor at the doctor's? -Yes, he is (there).
• with verbs that are followed by the preposition à: penser à (to think about), réfléchir à (to think about, to reflect on), s’inscrire à (to register with), se soumettre à (to submit to), etc.
- Tu penses aux vacances ? - Oui, j’y pense tout le temps ! -Do you think about the holidays? -Yes, I think about them all the time!
- Vous avez réfléchi à ma proposition ? - Non, nous n’y avons pas encore réfléchi. -Have you thought about my offer? -No, we haven't yet considered it.
Note that y is generally situated before the verb.
- Vous allez à Paris aujourd’hui ? - Oui, j’y vais. -Are you going to Paris today? -Yes, I'm going there.
Here are some common expressions that use y:
Ça y est. That's it.
On y va. Let's go.
Vas-y/allez-y Go on, go ahead.
Je n’y arrive pas. I can't do it.
- On y va ? - Où ça ? - À Paris !

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