French word

au-dedans

Pronunciation

IPA/odədɑ̃/

Meaning

  • adverbinside

Example

Il est heureux au-dedans.

He is happy inside.

Illustration for au-dedans (inside)

More examples

Elle sourit mais elle ressent de la tristesse au-dedans.

She smiles but feels sadness inside.

Core concept

A feeling kept behind the visible face, present inwardly without showing in behavior.

Common phrases

  • ressentir de la tristesse au-dedans

    feel sadness inside

  • être troublé au-dedans

    be troubled inside

Similar words

au fond: Shows what someone truly thinks deep down, beyond outward appearances.

Definition in French

Précise qu'une impression, une intention ou un sentiment existe en privé, à l'intérieur de la personne plutôt que dans son comportement extérieur.

Word origin

Au-dedans combines au, the contraction of à le, with dedans, inherited from Old French dedenz and ultimately based on Latin de intus.

Usage tips

  • Au-dedans has a formal or literary tone, while intérieurement or au fond de soi is more common for private feelings in everyday French.

Other meanings

  • inwardlynoun

Opposites

  • au-dehorsoutsideadverb

Word lists with this word