au-dessus
/o.də.sy/preposition★Intermediate
general
Indicates a position higher than something else, either physically or metaphorically.
Elle vit au-dessus de ses moyens.
She lives above her means.
Les nuages sont au-dessus des montagnes.
The clouds are above the mountains.
💡
Can also be used metaphorically to indicate superiority or dominance.
Collocations
au-dessus deaboveau-dessus de toutabove all
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related Phrases
au-dessus de toutphrase
above all
par-dessusphrase
over
💡Pro Tip
Physical vs. Metaphorical Use
While 'au-dessus' often refers to physical height, it can also express abstract superiority (e.g., 'au-dessus de la loi' = 'above the law').
⚡Gold Rule
Prepositional Usage
'Au-dessus' is typically followed by 'de' when referring to a specific object or location.
📖Word Origin
From Old French 'a desus', from Latin 'de' (from) and 'superus' (upper).
📝Usage Notes
Often used with 'de' to indicate a specific reference point (e.g., 'au-dessus de la table').
Word Breakdown
au
to
prepositiondessus
above
adverbDictionnaire Français-Anglais