dans
Je suis dans la maison.
I am in the house.
Indicates location inside or within something.
Les clés sont dans le tiroir.
The keys are in the drawer.
Il vit dans une grande ville.
He lives in a big city.
Used for both physical locations and abstract states (e.g., 'dans l'embarras' = in trouble).
Indicates time within a period.
Je viendrai dans une heure.
I will come in an hour.
Il est né dans les années 90.
He was born in the 90s.
Commonly used with expressions of time.
Indicates manner or state.
Il a agi dans la précipitation.
He acted in haste.
Often used in fixed expressions.
Collocations
Synonyms
Pro Tip
Common Mistake: 'dans' vs 'en'
'Dans' is used for physical locations (e.g., 'dans la maison' = in the house), while 'en' is used for feminine countries or abstract states (e.g., 'en France' = in France, 'en colère' = angry).
Gold Rule
Rule 1: Physical Location
Use 'dans' to indicate being inside a physical space (e.g., 'dans la voiture' = in the car, 'dans le parc' = in the park).
Rule 2: Time Expressions
Use 'dans' with time expressions to indicate 'within' a period (e.g., 'dans deux jours' = in two days).
Rule 3: Abstract States
Use 'dans' for abstract states or conditions (e.g., 'dans le doute' = in doubt, 'dans l'embarras' = in trouble).
Word Origin
From Old French 'dedans', from Latin 'de intus' (from within), combining 'de' (from) and 'intus' (within). Evolved from a phrase to a standalone preposition.
Usage Notes
Always followed by a noun or noun phrase. Do not confuse with 'en' (used for feminine countries, materials, or abstract concepts) or 'à' (used for cities, some feminine countries, and specific locations).