The difference between “sous” and “au dessus” lies in their French to English translations, relating to location descriptions. In the French language, “sous” is used to mean “under” or “below”, indicating a position beneath something else. On the other hand, “au dessus” translates to “above” or “over”, implying something is located higher than something else. So, if you are referring to an object or person being under or below something, you’d use “sous”, while “au dessus” is for situations where someone or something is above or over another object or person.
What Is the Opposite of Au Dessus?
When it comes to the French language, there are many intricacies to be mindful of. One such concept is the notion of “au dessus” which means “above”. However, what isn’t as widely known is it’s opposite: “au dessous”. Au dessous de, as you may have guessed, means “below” or “underneath”.
This distinction may seem small, but it’s incredibly important when it comes to sentence structure and communicating effectively in French. Using the wrong word can completely alter both the meaning and intent of what you’re trying to say. This is why it’s vital to understand the difference between these two terms.
When speaking or writing in French, it isn’t enough to simply replace “au dessus” with “au dessous”. The prepositions that follow will also change and must be used correctly to accurately convey your message. For example, “Je suis au dessus de la montagne” translates to “I’m above the mountain”, while “Je suis au dessous de la montagne” means “I’m below the mountain”.
In addition to sentence structure and prepositions, understanding the opposite of “au dessus” is also important for everyday conversation. If you’re discussing the location of something, you may need to use “au dessous de” instead. For example, if someone asks where your cat is, and he or she’s under the bed, you’d say “mon chat est au dessous du lit” (my cat is under the bed).
By being mindful of prepositions and sentence structure, you can ensure that you’re accurately conveying your thoughts and ideas in conversation.
In the world of fashion, the terms dessus and dessous hold great significance. Both words refer to clothing that covers the upper and lower parts of the body, respectively. While they may seem like simple French words, they hold a deeper meaning when it comes to style and dressing. Understanding the differences between the two can help you achieve a put-together look that’s both stylish and appropriate for any occasion. Let’s take a closer look at dessus and dessous and learn more about their meaning and significance in the world of fashion.
What Is the Opposite of Dessus?
The term dessus has it’s roots in the French language and can be translated into English as above. It’s used to refer to something that’s positioned higher than something else, an upward direction, or an upper level. For instance, in music, the term dessus is used to refer to the highest vocal range, which is usually sung by female singers. Dessus is also used as an adjective to describe clothing that’s worn on the upper part of the body, such as a dress or a shirt.
For example, in a stage play, the actors who represent the underground world might be referred to as “dessous” actors. Dessous is also used as an adjective to describe clothing that’s worn on the lower part of the body, like pants or a skirt.
Dessus and dessous are at once opposites and a pair. They’re polar opposites that exist across a vertical gradient. For instance, if you use the term dessus to refer to an item on a shelf, then the opposite of dessus would be dessous since dessous means below.
It’s important to note that dessus and dessous aren’t the only terms used to describe the vertical direction in the French language. Other terms such as en haut (up) and en bas (down) are also used.
Dessus and dessous are two French words that share a relationship of mutual opposition. Dessus and dessous are versatile words used in different contexts, from describing clothing to music and everything in between. They’re an indispensable part of the French language, exemplifying it’s elegance, simplicity, and precision.
Tips for Learners of French on How to Properly Use Dessus and Dessous in Conversation and Writing.
- Understand the basic meaning of dessus and dessous – dessus means “on top” and dessous means “underneath”.
- Use dessus to refer to something that’s on top of something else. For example, “Le livre est sur la table” (The book is on the table).
- Use dessous to refer to something underneath something else. For example, “Le tapis est sous la table” (The rug is under the table).
- Be aware of other common expressions that use dessus and dessous, such as “au-dessus” (above) and “au-dessous” (below).
- Practice using dessus and dessous in context in conversation and in writing.
Source: Getting to the bottom of the French words “dessous” and …
Now that we’ve covered the basics of “dessus” and “au dessus”, let’s explore further the nuances and applications of these two prepositions in French language.
What Is the Difference Between Dessus and Au Dessus?
Elle est au-dessus des arbres. This means “Heres a giraffe. It’s above the trees” and implies that the giraffe is much higher than the trees and theres no contact.
On the other hand, “dessus” means on/at/on top of. It’s used to describe something thats on top of something else, and theres usually some kind of contact between the two objects. For example, in the sentence Ça se trouve dessus la table (It’s on the table), the object on the table is in contact with the surface of the table.
Another difference between dessus and au-dessus is in the way theyre used in idiomatic expressions. For instance, the French phrase “Cest sur le bout de la langue” meaning “It’s on the tip of my tongue” uses dessus. This is because the object in this case is directly on top of the tongue, hence the contact. However, the phrase “Je suis au-dessus de tout ça” (I’m above all that) illustrates the use of au-dessus without contact.
The speaker can use either of the two depending on the object theyre referring to, while keeping in mind the correct use of the prepositions. For example, in a conversation about a book, one can say “Le livre est dessus la table” (The book is on the table) or, to refer to the covers, “Les couvertures du livre sont au-dessus de la table” (The covers of the book are above the table).
It’s important to remember that when using these two words, one must always take into consideration the context of the sentence. While the difference may seem minor, it could completely change the meaning of a sentence. When in doubt, it’s always better to ask for clarification to prevent misunderstandings.
The Difference Between “Dessus” and “Dessous” (Which Means “Underneath”) and How to Use Them Correctly
- “Dessus” means “on top” while “dessous” means “underneath”.
- For example, you can say “le chat est sur le tapis” to mean “the cat is on the rug”, but “le chat est dessous le tapis” to mean “the cat is underneath the rug”.
- It’s important to use the correct preposition when talking about location in French.
- You can also use “dessus” and “dessous” when talking about clothing or objects, such as “mon pull est dessous ma veste” to mean “my sweater is underneath my jacket”.
When it comes to the French language, there are certain expressions that can be easily confused due to their subtle nuances. One such example is the difference between “Par Dessus” and “Au Dessus”. While both of them involve the concept of being “above” something, they’re used in different contexts and carry different meanings. Let’s take a closer look at how these two terms differ and how they’re used in everyday conversation.
What Is the Difference Between Par Dessus and Au Dessus?
The French language is known for it’s subtle nuances and distinctions between words that can be confusing for learners. One such example is the difference between “par dessus” and “au dessus.”. While both phrases can be translated to “above” or “over,” they convey different meanings depending on the context.
“Au dessus” is used to describe something that’s physically higher or above something else. For example, “au dessus de cette rivière, il y a un pont” means that there’s a bridge located physically above the river. This phrase implies a sense of verticality, and the two objects are on different levels.
On the other hand, “par dessus” describes something that covers or goes over something else. It implies a sense of horizontal movement, rather than verticality. For instance, “par-dessus ce pont, il y a une route” would translate to “theres a road over this bridge.”. Unlike the first example, the road and bridge are on the same level, and the road “covers” the bridge.
Therefore, the difference between “au dessus” and “par dessus” is significant.
It’s essential to understand the difference between the two because confusing them could lead to confusion and altered meaning.
When describing the physical relationship between two objects, “au dessus” should be used, while “par dessus” should be used when describing an object that covers or goes over another object. Understanding this subtle distinction is crucial to effectively communicating in the French language.
How to Use Prepositions With “Par Dessus” and “Au Dessus” to Create More Complex Sentences
- Par dessus means “over” or “above” and is often followed by a noun or pronoun.
- Au dessus also means “over” or “above” but is usually followed by a verb in the infinitive form.
- Using “par dessus” in a sentence: Je saute par dessus la barrière. (I’m jumping over the fence.)
- Using “au dessus” in a sentence: Les oiseaux volent au dessus des nuages. (The birds are flying over the clouds.)
- Par dessus can also be combined with other prepositions to create more complex sentences, such as “par dessus le toit” (over the roof) or “par dessus la mer” (over the sea).
- Au dessus can be combined with other prepositions as well, such as “au dessus de la ville” (above the city) or “au dessus du lit” (above the bed).
- It’s important to remember that these prepositions are often used in spoken French and can add nuance and color to your language.
Conclusion
It’s important to pay careful attention to context when determining which word to use, in order to accurately convey the intended meaning.
