Meaning
Indicates a position beside something else.
Cultural Background
In French cities, buildings are often 'collés' (stuck together). Using 'à côté de' is the standard way to describe the urban landscape where everything is tightly packed. Quebecers might use 'à côté' to mean 'nearby' in a more general sense than in France, where it almost always means immediate adjacency. When entering a crowded space, asking to sit 'à côté de' someone is a polite way to negotiate shared space.
The Touch Test
If two things are side-by-side, use 'à côté de'. If they are just in the same area, use 'près de'.
Contraction Action
Never say 'à côté de le'. It must be 'à côté du'. This is the #1 mistake for beginners.
Meaning
Indicates a position beside something else.
The Touch Test
If two things are side-by-side, use 'à côté de'. If they are just in the same area, use 'près de'.
Contraction Action
Never say 'à côté de le'. It must be 'à côté du'. This is the #1 mistake for beginners.
Figurative Fun
Use 'à côté de la plaque' to sound like a native when someone totally misses the point.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form (à côté du, à côté de la, à côté des, à côté de l').
Le restaurant est _______ hôtel.
Because 'hôtel' starts with a silent 'h', we use 'de l''.
Which sentence means 'He is sitting next to me'?
Choose the correct translation.
With stress pronouns like 'moi', you must use 'à côté de'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are completely wrong about this.
This is the idiomatic expression for being wrong.
Complete the dialogue.
Où sont mes clés ? Elles sont _______ ton sac.
'Ton sac' is a possessive phrase, so we just use 'à côté de'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Adjacency vs Proximity
Common Objects Found 'À côté de'
Home
- • la table
- • le lit
- • la lampe
City
- • la banque
- • le parc
- • la gare
Practice Bank
4 exercisesLe restaurant est _______ hôtel.
Because 'hôtel' starts with a silent 'h', we use 'de l''.
Choose the correct translation.
With stress pronouns like 'moi', you must use 'à côté de'.
You are completely wrong about this.
This is the idiomatic expression for being wrong.
Où sont mes clés ? Elles sont _______ ton sac.
'Ton sac' is a possessive phrase, so we just use 'à côté de'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
6 questionsYes, it is very common to say 'à côté de Marie' or 'à côté de lui'.
'À côté de' means 'next to' (adjacent), while 'près de' means 'near' (proximity).
It is always 'à côté du'. 'De' and 'le' must contract.
Yes, as an adverb. For example: 'Il habite juste à côté' (He lives right next door).
It's an idiom meaning to be completely wrong or to have misunderstood everything.
It is neutral. It can be used in any context, from a business meeting to a chat with friends.
Related Phrases
Près de
similarNear to
En face de
contrastOpposite / Facing
Loin de
contrastFar from
Auprès de
synonymClose to / With
