Meaning
Outside the main group or activity; at the periphery of something.
Cultural Background
The concept of 'la marginalité' is often celebrated in French literature (e.g., Baudelaire's 'flâneur' or the 'poètes maudits'). Being 'en marge' is seen as a position of truth. In Quebec, 'en marge de' is also used in legal and administrative language to refer to notes added to official registers or civil status documents. In international organizations (UN, EU), 'en marge' refers to the 'corridors of power' where informal deals are struck outside the main assembly hall. In some West African contexts, 'vivre en marge' can specifically refer to those living outside the traditional village structure or the modern state system.
Journalistic Flair
Use this phrase in your writing exams (DELF/DALF) to describe side-events. It's a 'cheat code' for a higher score in the 'lexical richness' category.
Avoid Infinitives
Never say 'en marge de faire'. Always use a noun like 'en marge de la réalisation de...'
Meaning
Outside the main group or activity; at the periphery of something.
Journalistic Flair
Use this phrase in your writing exams (DELF/DALF) to describe side-events. It's a 'cheat code' for a higher score in the 'lexical richness' category.
Avoid Infinitives
Never say 'en marge de faire'. Always use a noun like 'en marge de la réalisation de...'
Positive vs Negative
Remember that in French, 'vivre en marge' can be a proud statement of independence, not just a sign of poverty or failure.
Test Yourself
Complétez la phrase avec la forme correcte (en marge de / du / de la / des).
Les deux chefs d'État se sont rencontrés ______ sommet sur le climat.
'Sommet' is masculine singular, so 'de + le' becomes 'du'.
Quelle phrase utilise l'expression de manière FIGURÉE ?
Choisissez l'option correcte :
This refers to social/artistic non-conformity, not a physical paper margin.
Associez la situation à la phrase correspondante.
Situation : Un journaliste parle d'une réunion non officielle pendant un grand congrès.
'En marge de' is the standard journalistic term for side-events.
Complétez le dialogue de manière naturelle.
A: Pourquoi Marc ne vient-il jamais à nos soirées ? B: Tu sais, il a toujours préféré vivre ______.
'Vivre en marge' is a fixed expression for living as an outsider.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Marge vs. Bord vs. Limite
Practice Bank
4 exercisesLes deux chefs d'État se sont rencontrés ______ sommet sur le climat.
'Sommet' is masculine singular, so 'de + le' becomes 'du'.
Choisissez l'option correcte :
This refers to social/artistic non-conformity, not a physical paper margin.
Situation : Un journaliste parle d'une réunion non officielle pendant un grand congrès.
'En marge de' is the standard journalistic term for side-events.
A: Pourquoi Marc ne vient-il jamais à nos soirées ? B: Tu sais, il a toujours préféré vivre ______.
'Vivre en marge' is a fixed expression for living as an outsider.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsMostly, yes. In casual conversation, people might say 'à côté' or 'en dehors', but 'en marge de' is very common in news and professional settings.
Yes, but it sounds more poetic or formal. 'Une maison en marge de la forêt' is correct but more literary than 'à côté de la forêt'.
'En marge' is the prepositional phrase (the state of being), while 'marginal' is the adjective (the quality).
No, the expression is fixed as 'en marge de'. You cannot pluralize 'marge' in this context.
It means 'on the periphery'. You are still connected to the main thing, but you are not in the center of it.
Yes, for side-projects or unofficial meetings during a conference.
'En marge de' is the best translation for events, while 'sur la touche' is better for sports.
Indirectly. It implies something happening 'alongside' another event in time.
Yes, it is used throughout the Francophonie with the same meaning.
'Au cœur de' (at the heart of) or 'au centre de' (at the center of).
Related Phrases
à l'écart de
synonymAway from / at a distance from
au ban de la société
specialized formOutcast from society
hors des sentiers battus
similarOff the beaten path
marginaliser
builds onTo marginalize
parallèlement à
synonymParallel to / alongside
