au (à + le)
Contraction a + Le = Au
In French, when the preposition à is followed by the definite articles le or les, they must contract into au or aux. This only happens with articles, not with pronouns.
How It Works
The words au and aux are 'contracted articles' (articles contractés). In French, you cannot have the preposition à directly followed by the definite articles le or les.
1. The Rules:
- à + le = au: Used before masculine singular nouns starting with a consonant (au cinéma).
- à + les = aux: Used before all plural nouns (aux États-Unis).
2. Important Exception:
Contraction only occurs when le is an article. If le is a direct object pronoun (meaning 'him' or 'it'), the contraction does not happen: Je tiens à le voir (I really want to see him/it).
3. When NOT to contract:
If a singular noun starts with a vowel or silent 'h', use à l' instead: à l'hôtel.
4. Common Uses:
- Locations: au bureau (at the office), aux toilettes (in the restroom).
- Masculine Countries: au Canada, aux Pays-Bas.
- Sports/Games: jouer au foot (to play soccer), jouer aux cartes (to play cards).
- Flavors: une glace au chocolat (chocolate ice cream).
Examples (5)
- Je vais au supermarché.
I am going to the supermarket.
Word by Word: I go to-the supermarket.
'Supermarché' is masculine, so 'à + le' becomes 'au'.
- Il est au travail.
He is at work.
Word by Word: He is at-the work.
'Travail' is masculine, so 'au' is used to mean 'at the'.
- Tu joues au basket ?
Do you play basketball?
Word by Word: You play at-the basketball?
In French, you play 'at' (à) sports. Since 'basket' is masculine, it becomes 'au'.
- Je voudrais un croissant au beurre.
I would like a butter croissant.
Word by Word: I would-like a croissant with-the butter.
'Au' is used here to indicate the main ingredient or flavor.
- Nous habitons au Canada.
We live in Canada.
Word by Word: We live in-the Canada.
Canada is a masculine country, so 'à + le' becomes 'au'.
Common Mistakes
Using 'à le' instead of 'au'.
Je vais à le parc.Je vais au parc.The contraction 'au' is mandatory. Saying 'à le' is always grammatically incorrect when 'le' is an article.
Using 'au' before a vowel sound.
Il va au hôpital.Il va à l'hôpital.Before a vowel or silent H, you must use 'à l'' to maintain a smooth flow of speech.
Using 'au' for feminine nouns.
Je vais au banque.Je vais à la banque.'Au' is only for masculine nouns. Feminine nouns use 'à la'.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand the contraction 'au', you first need to be familiar with the masculine definite article 'le' and the concept of grammatical gender, as this contraction only occurs when 'à' precedes a masculine singular noun starting with a consonant.
Related Patterns
- aux (à + les)Contraction a + Les = Aux
This is the plural version of the 'à' contraction.
Level 1 - du (de + le)Contraction De + Le = Du
A similar mandatory contraction involving the preposition 'de'.
Level 1 - au + Masculine CountryIn/to a Masculine Country with Au
A specific application of this contraction used for masculine countries.
Level 1 - l'Elided Definite Article L'
The form used instead of 'au' when the masculine noun starts with a vowel.
Level 1 - àLocation, Direction with a
The base preposition used to indicate location or direction.
Level 1
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice au (à + le) in Bubblegum
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