French Conversation · Level 52
75 words
French word
au-dessus
Pronunciation
IPA/odəsy/
Meaning
- adverbabove
Example
Le livre est au-dessus de la table.
The book is above the table.
More examples
Le tableau est au-dessus du canapé.
The picture is above the sofa.
Core concept
A position higher than a reference point, either physically overhead or higher in a figurative hierarchy.
Common phrases
au-dessus de
above
au-dessus de la tête
above the head
au-dessus du sol
above the ground
Similar words
en haut: In an upper-floor or elevated location.
dessus: On a surface or immediately above it.
plus haut: At a position higher than a given point.
Definition in French
Marque qu'une chose se trouve au-dessus d'un autre élément, au sens spatial ou de supériorité figurée.
Word origin
Au-dessus combines au, the contraction of à + le, with dessus, from Old French desus, formed from de + sus and related to Latin super.
Usage tips
- Au-dessus is normally followed by de, as in au-dessus de la table, while English above has no matching fixed preposition.
Other meanings
- overheadadverb
Opposites
- au-dessousbelowadverb
- en dessousunderneathadverb