sens
The Preposition Sens
Sens means without, and it names what is missing.
How It Works
Sens means without. Like amb, it has one form and stays apart from the article.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| un cafè sens sucre | a coffee without sugar |
| una sopa sens sal | a soup without salt |
| sens la clau | without the key |
| Vau sens Maria. | I go without Maria. |
When you speak of a thing in general, leave out the article: un tè sens lach. When you mean one particular thing, keep it: sens la clau.
You may also see sense in print. This course writes sens.
Later you will use sens before an infinitive, to say without doing something.
Examples (4)
- Un cafè sens sucre, se vos plai.
A coffee without sugar, please.
Sens sucre: no article after sens.
- Una sopa sens sal.
A soup without salt.
Sens sal: a general thing, so no article.
- Vau a l'escòla sens ma sòrre.
I go to school without my sister.
Sens ma sòrre: sens before a possessive.
- Lo dròlle es a l'ostal sens sa maire.
The child is at home without his mother.
Sens sa maire: a particular person.
Common Mistakes
Using the French word for without
Un tè sans lach.Un tè sens lach.Sans is French. Occitan writes sens.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Sens is the opposite of amb, so amb comes first.
Related Patterns
- Partitive de
Like the partitive, sens leaves out the article before a general noun.
Level 2 - pas deNo Article After a Negative
After pas, a general noun also takes de and no article.
Level 2 - sens + InfinitiveWithout Doing
Sens can also go before an infinitive.
Level 4 - perThe Preposition Per
Per means for or through.
Level 1
Words in This Pattern
Practice sens in Bubblegum
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