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à

/a/
1.
preposition

at (location)

in (place)

to (destination)

at (time)

On se retrouve à midi à la gare.

We'll meet at noon at the station.

Synonyms:en, chez, dans, vers
2.
preposition

to (marks the indirect object of a verb)

for (in some constructions)

Donne le livre à Paul, s'il te plaît.

Give the book to Paul, please.

Synonyms:pour
3.
preposition

belonging to (possession or ownership)

Ce stylo est à moi.

This pen is mine.

Synonyms:de
4.
preposition

indicating content, ingredient, flavour, material, purpose, or a characteristic (in the style of)

Un gâteau à la vanille et une sauce à l'ail.

A vanilla cake and a garlic sauce.

Synonyms:avec, au
5.
preposition

at a price / at a rate

per (measurement or rate)

Ces pommes sont à 2 € le kilo.

These apples are €2 per kilo.

Synonyms:par
6.
preposition

by / with (indicating instrument, means, or manner)

Il a percé le bois à la perceuse.

He drilled the wood with a drill.

Synonyms:avec

Notes

GENERAL INFO

À is a very common French preposition. It means "to," "at," "in," "on," "with," or indicates purpose, possession, or a manner.

USAGE

It's used for:

Location/Destination: "Je suis à Paris" (I am in Paris), "Il va à l'école" (He goes to school).

Time: "À midi" (At noon).

Possession: "Ce livre est à moi" (This book is mine).

Purpose/Characteristic: "Une tasse à thé" (A teacup).

TRAPS

À contracts with definite articles "le" and "les": "à + le" becomes "au," and "à + les" becomes "aux."

Remember, "à + la" and "à + l' " remain unchanged.

Do not confuse it with "a" (third person singular of "avoir").