Look at these sentences:
Je monte dans le train.
I'm getting on the train.
Aurélie descend de l'avion.
Aurélie is getting off the plane.
Allez, monte dans la voiture!
Come on, get in the car!
Les enfants descendent de la voiture.
The kids are getting out of the car.
Note that you use:
- monter dans to describe getting on or in + [a mode of transport]
- descendre de to describe getting off or out of + [a mode of transport]
ATTENTION:
Ils descendaient tous des voitures garées là.
They were all getting out of the cars parked there.
Alana est descendue du train juste à temps.
Alana got off the train just in time.
J'ai vu Sharon Stone descendre d'une limousine.
I saw Sharon Stone get out of a limo.
Learn more about these related French grammar topics
Examples and resources
Les enfants descendent de la voiture.
The kids are getting out of the car.
Ils descendaient tous des voitures garées là.
They were all getting out of the cars parked there.
J'ai vu Sharon Stone descendre d'une limousine.
I saw Sharon Stone get out of a limo.
Nous sommes descendus de la montgolfière.
We got off the air balloon.
Les passagers descendirent du Titanic, sains et saufs.
The passengers got off the Titanic, safe and sound.
Allez, monte dans la voiture!
Come on, get in the car!
Alana est descendue du train juste à temps.
Alana got off the train just in time.
dans
Je monte dans le train.
I'm getting on the train.
de
Aurélie descend de l'avion.
Aurélie is getting off the plane.
Q&A
Chris
Kwiziq community member
21/06/18
Hi Julianne,
Yes, your hunch is correct: it is because "de+le train" turns into "du train".
-- Chris (not a native speaker).
julianne
Kwiziq community member
22/06/18

Aurélie
Kwiziq language super star
11/05/18
Bonjour Jill !
Thanks for reporting a technical issue.
In this case, we need you to use the Report button linked to the specific test you're mentioning, so that we can see it specifically, and look into it for you.
Thank you very much!
Chris
Kwiziq community member
27/03/18

Steven
Kwiziq community member
9/01/17

Aurélie
Kwiziq language super star
9/01/17

Aurélie
Kwiziq language super star
27/12/16
Robin
Kwiziq community member
3 January 2019
0 replies
débarque?
I am wondering why in a lesson of monter dans and descendre de that a quiz question is using débarque? Thanks. (Rose débarque du bateau" means:)