Meaning
Used to indicate a location, meaning in that place.
Cultural Background
In France, 'là' is often used with a 'pout' or a gesture of the chin to point when hands are full. It's considered efficient rather than rude in casual settings. Quebecers use 'là' as a very frequent sentence-ender, often doubled as 'là là' to mean 'right now' or for emphasis. It's a hallmark of the local accent. In West African French, 'là' can be used to emphasize the 'now' aspect of a situation even more strongly than in France, often integrated into local rhythmic speech patterns. Belgian French uses 'là' similarly to France, but you might hear 'ici' more frequently in certain formal administrative contexts than you would in Paris.
The 'Here' Hack
If you forget the word for 'here' (ici), just use 'là'. It's what native speakers do 90% of the time anyway!
Accent Matters
In writing, forgetting the accent on 'là' is a very common mistake that makes you look like a beginner. Always double-check!
Meaning
Used to indicate a location, meaning in that place.
The 'Here' Hack
If you forget the word for 'here' (ici), just use 'là'. It's what native speakers do 90% of the time anyway!
Accent Matters
In writing, forgetting the accent on 'là' is a very common mistake that makes you look like a beginner. Always double-check!
Emphasis
Add 'là' to the end of a sentence to show you are annoyed with the current situation: 'C'est bon, là !' (That's enough!).
Test Yourself
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.
Regarde ___ fille avec le chapeau rouge.
In this case, we need the feminine article 'the' to go with the noun 'fille'. No accent is needed.
Fill in the blank with 'là' or 'la'.
Pose ton sac ___, sur ___ chaise.
The first blank indicates a location ('there'), so it needs 'là'. The second blank is an article for 'chaise', so it needs 'la'.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.
A: Est-ce que le professeur est dans la salle ? B: Oui, il est ___.
'Là' is the most natural way to confirm someone's presence in a room.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You are pointing at a mountain in the far distance.
'Là-bas' is used for things that are further away or 'over there'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
La vs. Là
Where is it?
Distance
- • là (there)
- • là-bas (over there)
Height
- • là-haut (up there)
- • là-dessous (down there)
Inside
- • là-dedans (in there)
Practice Bank
4 exercisesRegarde ___ fille avec le chapeau rouge.
In this case, we need the feminine article 'the' to go with the noun 'fille'. No accent is needed.
Pose ton sac ___, sur ___ chaise.
The first blank indicates a location ('there'), so it needs 'là'. The second blank is an article for 'chaise', so it needs 'la'.
A: Est-ce que le professeur est dans la salle ? B: Oui, il est ___.
'Là' is the most natural way to confirm someone's presence in a room.
Situation: You are pointing at a mountain in the far distance.
'Là-bas' is used for things that are further away or 'over there'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsMostly, but in casual French, it's used for both 'here' and 'there'.
To distinguish it from 'la' (the). It doesn't change the sound.
Yes, but it sounds more formal than 'Je suis là'.
It means 'over there', usually implying something further away.
Use 'Cette voiture-là'. Don't forget the hyphen!
Yes, to ask if someone is available: 'Est-ce que Paul est là ?'
It means 'up there', like on a shelf or upstairs.
Sometimes, in phrases like 'à ce moment-là' (at that moment/then).
No, it's standard French, but its use as a filler word is informal.
No, it is an adverb and never changes form.
Related Phrases
là-bas
specialized formover there
ici
contrasthere
celui-là
builds onthat one
là-haut
specialized formup there
n'être pas bien là
similarto be a bit crazy
