French Conversation · Level 128
45 words
French word
par-dessus
Pronunciation
IPA/paʁdəsy/
Meaning
- prepositionover ___
Example
Elle a posé la nappe par-dessus la table.
She laid the tablecloth over the table.
More examples
Il a jeté sa veste par-dessus la chaise.
He threw his jacket over the chair.
Core concept
Something lies on top of a lower surface, or moves across the space above it.
Common phrases
par-dessus la table
above the table
par-dessus un pull
over a sweater
par-dessus la tête
over one's head
Similar words
sur: Located directly on the surface of another object.
au-dessus de: Located higher than a reference point, without necessarily touching it.
Definition in French
Par-dessus est une préposition exprimant qu'un élément est placé au-dessus d'un autre, parfois en le recouvrant ou en passant au-dessus de celui-ci.
Word origin
The compound joins par, expressing passage or position, with dessus, an old form built from de and sus for an upper location.
Usage tips
- In par-dessus le marché and par-dessus tout, the phrase has the figurative sense 'in addition' or 'above all,' not a literal crossing.
Other meanings
- from aboveadverb
- aboveadverb
Opposites
- au-dessousbelowpreposition
- sousunderpreposition