"chez" in French

"Chez" is a common French preposition that English speakers often find tricky. Let's explore its meaning and usage to help you incorporate it confidently in your French conversations.

Basic Meaning

At its core, "chez" means "at the home of" or "at the place of." It's used to indicate location, specifically referring to someone's home, workplace, or establishment.

Common Uses

Referring to Someone's Home

• Je vais chez Marie. (I'm going to Marie's house.)
• Il y a une fête chez nous ce soir. (There's a party at our place tonight.)

Referring to Businesses

• J'achète mon pain chez le boulanger. (I buy my bread at the baker's.)
• Elle travaille chez Apple. (She works at Apple.)

Idiomatic Expressions

"Chez" is also used in several idiomatic expressions:

• Chez soi (At home / In one's own place)
• Comme chez soi (Make yourself at home)
• Chez nous (In our country / region)

Tips for Usage

1. "Chez" is always followed by a person, pronoun, or business name.
2. It can't be used with general places like "school" or "park."
3. When using "chez" with pronouns, use stressed pronouns: chez moi, chez toi, chez lui, etc.

Understanding "chez" will help you express location and ownership more naturally in French. Practice using it in various contexts to become more comfortable with this versatile preposition.