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dessus
/də.sy/
above, on top
Posez le livre dessus.
Put the book on top.
general
On or to the upper surface or part of something
Il a mis ses clés dessus.
He put his keys on top.
Often used with the preposition 'de' to indicate origin or derivation (e.g., 'de dessus' = from above).
informal
In addition to, as well as
Je vais prendre ça, et dessus, un café.
I'll take that, and on top of that, a coffee.
In informal contexts, it can mean 'in addition to' or 'on top of that.'
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Formal vs. Informal Usage
In formal contexts, prefer 'au-dessus' or 'par-dessus' over 'dessus.' In informal speech, 'dessus' is common.
Gold Rule
Prepositional Use
When used as a preposition, it typically requires the preposition 'de' (e.g., 'de dessus').
Word Origin
From Old French 'desus,' from Latin 'de super,' meaning 'from above.'
Usage Notes
Can be used as an adverb or preposition depending on context. In formal writing, 'au-dessus' is often preferred.
Word Breakdown
de
of, from
prefixsus
above
rootDictionnaire Français-Anglais