1.34: Pronom Y

The pronoun Y is used

• to replace phrases that describe places. It is normally translated by ’there’ in English.

☞ Tu habites à Paris ? Oui, j’y habite. Do you live in Paris? Yes, I live there.

• with verbs that are followed by the preposition à: penser à (to think about), réfléchir à (to think about, to reflect on)

☞ Tu penses à ton voyage en France ? Oui, j’y pense. Do you think about your trip in France? Yes, I think about it.

Note that y is generally situated before the verb.

☞ Vous allez à Paris aujourd’hui ? – Oui, j’y vais. Are you going to Paris today? Yes, I’m going there.

Here are some common expressions that use y:

• Ça y est. That’s it.
• On y va. Let’s go.
• Vas-y. ▫︎ Allez-y. Go on, go ahead.
• Je n’y arrive pas. I can’t do it.

Practice