French Conversation · Level 9
88 words
French word
là
Pronunciation
IPA/la/
Meaning
- adverbthere
Example
Reste là, s'il te plaît.
Stay there, please.
More examples
Il est là, derrière la porte.
He is there, behind the door.
Core concept
A pointed location in space or time, often already identified in the conversation.
Common phrases
être là
be there
Similar words
ici: Indicates the place where the speaker is or something nearby.
là-bas: Indicates a place some distance away or across from here.
voici: Introduces a person or thing directly before the speaker.
voilà: Introduces something being shown or a situation being described.
Definition in French
Sert à localiser précisément un point dans l'espace ou dans le temps et fréquemment utilisé dans la langue parlée pour renvoyer à quelque chose déjà évoqué.
Word origin
The adverb là developed through Old French la from Latin illac, while modern French uses the grave accent to distinguish it in writing from the article la.
Usage tips
- Là-bas marks a more distant or remote place, whereas là can indicate a spot without expressing that distance.