Meaning
Indicates a direction to the right side.
Cultural Background
In French restaurants, if you ask for the 'toilettes', the answer is almost always 'à droite' or 'à gauche' at the end of a corridor. It's a very common interaction. The terms 'Right' and 'Left' in politics originated in the French Revolutionary parliament. Those who sat on the right were supporters of the monarchy and tradition. France drives on the right side of the road. 'Priorité à droite' is a famous and often confusing traffic rule where you must yield to cars coming from the right at intersections without signs.
The 'E' Rule
If you see an 'e' at the end (droite), it's a direction. If you don't (droit), it's usually 'straight' or 'law'.
GPS Confusion
Be careful when listening to a GPS. 'Tout droit' and 'À droite' sound very similar to a beginner's ear.
Meaning
Indicates a direction to the right side.
The 'E' Rule
If you see an 'e' at the end (droite), it's a direction. If you don't (droit), it's usually 'straight' or 'law'.
GPS Confusion
Be careful when listening to a GPS. 'Tout droit' and 'À droite' sound very similar to a beginner's ear.
Handy Trick
Most people are right-handed. Associate 'À droite' with your writing hand to remember it instantly.
Test Yourself
How do you say 'Turn right' in French?
_____ à droite.
'Tourner' is the standard verb for changing direction.
Complete the sentence to say 'The book is to the right of the lamp'.
Le livre est à droite ___ la lampe.
We use 'à droite de' to indicate relative position.
Match the direction to the goal.
You want to go straight ahead. What do you say?
'Tout droit' means straight, 'à droite' means right.
Fill in the missing word in this GPS instruction.
Dans 200 mètres, tournez ___ droite.
The standard preposition for 'à droite' is 'à'.
Match the French to the English.
Match these spatial terms.
Basic directional vocabulary.
🎉 Score: /5
Visual Learning Aids
Spatial Directions
Directions
- • À droite
- • À gauche
- • Tout droit
- • Derrière
Practice Bank
5 exercises_____ à droite.
'Tourner' is the standard verb for changing direction.
Le livre est à droite ___ la lampe.
We use 'à droite de' to indicate relative position.
You want to go straight ahead. What do you say?
'Tout droit' means straight, 'à droite' means right.
Dans 200 mètres, tournez ___ droite.
The standard preposition for 'à droite' is 'à'.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Basic directional vocabulary.
🎉 Score: /5
Frequently Asked Questions
7 questionsThe noun 'droite' is feminine, which is why it ends in 'e'. However, the phrase 'à droite' functions as an adverb and doesn't change.
No, 'au' is for masculine nouns. Since 'droite' is feminine, you would say 'à la droite' if you used an article, but the standard phrase is simply 'à droite'.
'À droite' is a specific direction (Turn right), while 'sur la droite' often describes a general area or side (It's on the right side).
No. In French, 'correct' is 'juste' or 'vrai'. 'You are right' is 'Tu as raison'.
You say 'à droite de la voiture'. Always use 'de' to link it to another object.
Yes, 'la droite' refers to the conservative political wing in France.
It sounds like 'wa', as in the English word 'water' or 'walk'.
Related Phrases
À gauche
contrastTo the left
Tout droit
similarStraight ahead
Sur la droite
similarOn the right side
À la droite de
specialized formTo the right of [someone/something]
