y and en
y for place, en for amount
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y for place, en for amount
y replaces à + place: J'y vais. en replaces de + thing/amount: J'en veux. Both sit before the verb.
Examples in context
Read the examples and compare their English meanings.
Replacing 'à + place'
Use 'y' for places with 'à'.
Je vais à la piscine ? Oui, j'y vais.
Am I going to the pool? Yes, I'm going there.
Replacing 'de + thing'
Use 'en' for quantities with 'de'.
Tu veux du fromage ? Oui, j'en veux.
Do you want some cheese? Yes, I want some.
Common mix-ups
Use en for an unspecified amount of bread: j'en veux. Le can refer to a particular identified item, so it is not forbidden simply because the object is food.
I want some bread. I want some.
Try a reply
Say or write your answer in French before opening the example.
Someone asks whether you want apples. Say: I want two of them.
Show one possible answer
J'en veux deux.
Other wording can work too. Compare the verb form, agreement, and word order with the lesson. Then try a sentence about your own day.
Keep practicing
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