sur

On with Sur

Level 1

Use sur to say something is 'on' a surface (like a table or wall) or 'about' a subject (like a book about history).

How It Works

The preposition sur is one of the most frequent words in French. Its usage can be broken down into these main categories:

  • Physical Position: It indicates that an object is touching a surface, whether horizontal (sur la table) or vertical (sur le mur). Note the difference between the medium (à la télé) and the physical device (le chat est sur la télé).
  • Digital/Media: Use sur for the internet (sur Internet), specific websites, streaming services (sur Netflix), or specific TV channels.
  • Topic/Subject: It functions like 'about' when discussing the theme of a book, movie, or conversation (un livre sur Paris).
  • Ratios and Dimensions: It expresses 'out of' in statistics (un sur deux) and 'by' in dimensions (trois mètres sur quatre).
  • Direction and Views: It can indicate direction (un vol sur Paris) or be used with the verb donner sur to mean 'to overlook' or 'to face'.

Important Note: Unlike au or du, sur does not merge with the definite articles le or les. You must always write them as two separate words.

Examples (6)

  1. Le livre est sur la table.

    The book is on the table.

    Word by Word: The book is on the table.

    This shows the most basic use of 'sur' for physical contact with a surface.

  2. Je regarde une série sur Netflix.

    I am watching a series on Netflix.

    Word by Word: I watch a series on Netflix.

    While general TV uses 'à', specific channels or streaming services use 'sur'.

  3. C'est un documentaire sur les animaux.

    It is a documentary about animals.

    Word by Word: It is a documentary on the animals.

    Here, 'sur' indicates the subject matter or topic of the documentary.

  4. Huit personnes sur dix aiment le chocolat.

    Eight out of ten people like chocolate.

    Word by Word: Eight people on ten like the chocolate.

    In mathematical ratios or statistics, 'sur' translates to 'out of'.

  5. La fenêtre donne sur le jardin.

    The window overlooks the garden.

    Word by Word: The window gives on the garden.

    The common verb 'donner sur' is used to say a room or window overlooks a specific place.

  6. La table mesure deux mètres sur un.

    The table measures two meters by one.

    Word by Word: The table measures two meters on one.

    Use 'sur' when giving dimensions (length by width).

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'sur' for enclosed transportation like buses or trains.

    Je suis sur le train.
    Je suis dans le train.

    In English, we say 'on the train,' but French uses dans (inside) for vehicles you enter, unless you are literally on top of the roof!

  • Using 'sur' for days of the week.

    Je travaille sur lundi.
    Je travaille le lundi.

    French does not use a preposition for 'on Monday.' You either use the definite article 'le' or no word at all.

  • Confusing the preposition 'sur' with the adjective 'sûr'.

    Je suis sûr la table.
    Je suis sur la table.

    The preposition 'sur' (on) never has an accent. The word 'sûr' (with a circumflex) means 'sure' or 'certain'.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

surLevel 1On with Sur

Learn This First

To use the preposition 'sur' (on), you need to understand how to identify objects using definite articles and how to place these prepositional phrases within a standard French sentence.

Words in This Pattern