I translated "on top of" (the work surface) as "en dessus du" (plan de travail) rather than "sur le plan de travail". When would you use "en dessus de" (or au-dessus de) instead of "sur"?
"sur" vs. "en dessus de"
- « Back to Q&A Forum
- « Previous questionNext question »
Hi Helena,
I think you are mixing the expressions
au dessus de = above
en dessous de = below
with
sur = on top of
So 'au dessus du plan de travail' would be above it rather on top of it.
Hope this helps!
Jim Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
Hi Helena,
"en dessus de" gives a sense of "above" or "supériorité" not necessarily in contact.
Antonyme: dessous _ under
"sur" is more of a "position" sense where the item may be in contact with an elevated surface (actually on) something.
This is my understanding.
Hope it helps.
Jim
Helena asked:View original
"sur" vs. "en dessus de"
I translated "on top of" (the work surface) as "en dessus du" (plan de travail) rather than "sur le plan de travail". When would you use "en dessus de" (or au-dessus de) instead of "sur"?
Don't have an account yet? Join today
Ask a question
Find your French level for FREE
Test your French to the CEFR standard
Find your French level