Learning French can be a great adventure, and understanding simple, everyday words is a good starting point. One word you will often need is “about.” This word comes up in many situations, like talking about topics, estimating numbers, or describing locations.
In this article, we will explore how to say “about” in French. You will learn the different ways to use it, understand when to use formal or casual expressions, and get helpful examples to practice. By the end, you will be more confident using this word in your conversations.
Ways to Say “About” in French
The word “about” in French has many translations depending on its meaning in a sentence. It can be used to talk about topics, approximate amounts, or directions. Learning these variations will help you communicate clearly and naturally. Below are different ways to say “about” in French, along with their pronunciation, meanings, and example sentences.
1. À propos de
Pronunciation: ah pro-poh duh
Meaning: About, regarding, or concerning.
In a Sentence:
- À propos de votre question, je vais vérifier. (About your question, I’ll check.)
- Elle a parlé à propos de son voyage. (She talked about her trip.)
2. Environ
Pronunciation: ahn-vee-rohn
Meaning: About or approximately (used for numbers or time).
In a Sentence:
- Il y a environ vingt personnes ici. (There are about twenty people here.)
- Le film dure environ deux heures. (The movie lasts about two hours.)
3. Au sujet de
Pronunciation: oh soo-zhay duh
Meaning: About or on the topic of.
In a Sentence:
- Nous discutons au sujet de l’environnement. (We are discussing about the environment.)
- Il a écrit un article au sujet de la technologie. (He wrote an article about technology.)
4. À peu près
Pronunciation: ah puh pray
Meaning: About or approximately (used informally for amounts or measures).
In a Sentence:
- La maison est à peu près à dix minutes d’ici. (The house is about ten minutes from here.)
- Il mesure à peu près six pieds. (He is about six feet tall.)
5. Vers
Pronunciation: vehr
Meaning: About or around (used for time or direction).
In a Sentence:
- Nous arriverons vers midi. (We will arrive around noon.)
- Il marchait vers le centre-ville. (He was walking toward downtown.)
6. Concernant
Pronunciation: kohn-sair-nahn
Meaning: About, regarding, or concerning (formal).
In a Sentence:
- Concernant votre demande, nous y travaillerons. (Regarding your request, we will work on it.)
- Ce rapport est concernant les finances. (This report is about finances.)
7. Par rapport à
Pronunciation: par rah-por ah
Meaning: About, in relation to, or compared to.
In a Sentence:
- Par rapport à l’année dernière, les ventes ont augmenté. (Compared to last year, sales have increased.)
- Il a une question par rapport au programme. (He has a question about the program.)
8. Sur
Pronunciation: soor
Meaning: About or on (literal and figurative).
In a Sentence:
- Il a écrit un livre sur l’histoire de France. (He wrote a book about the history of France.)
- Le document est sur la table. (The document is on the table.)
9. Autour de
Pronunciation: oh-toor duh
Meaning: About or around (used for places or proximity).
In a Sentence:
- Il y a un jardin autour de la maison. (There is a garden around the house.)
- Nous avons parlé autour de ce sujet. (We talked about this topic.)
10. À propos
Pronunciation: ah pro-poh
Meaning: About or by the way (used informally).
In a Sentence:
- À propos, as-tu entendu la nouvelle? (By the way, did you hear the news?)
- C’est une conversation à propos des vacances. (It’s a conversation about the holidays.)
11. De
Pronunciation: duh
Meaning: Of or about (used in some constructions).
In a Sentence:
- Parlez-vous de ce problème? (Are you talking about this problem?)
- Ce film parle de l’amitié. (This movie is about friendship.)
12. Quant à
Pronunciation: kahn tah
Meaning: About, as for, or regarding.
In a Sentence:
- Quant à moi, je préfère rester à la maison. (As for me, I prefer staying at home.)
- Quant à cette décision, elle reste finale. (Regarding this decision, it remains final.)
13. En ce qui concerne
Pronunciation: ahn suh kee kohn-sairn
Meaning: Regarding or about (formal).
In a Sentence:
- En ce qui concerne le projet, il est presque terminé. (Regarding the project, it is almost finished.)
- En ce qui concerne votre question, je vais demander. (About your question, I’ll ask.)
14. Pour ce qui est de
Pronunciation: poor suh kee ay duh
Meaning: As far as or about (formal or precise).
In a Sentence:
- Pour ce qui est de la réunion, elle commence à 10 heures. (As for the meeting, it starts at 10 a.m.)
- Pour ce qui est de ce problème, nous avons une solution. (About this issue, we have a solution.)
15. À l’égard de
Pronunciation: ah lay-gahr duh
Meaning: About or with regard to.
In a Sentence:
- À l’égard de ses études, il est très sérieux. (With regard to his studies, he is very serious.)
- Cette loi s’applique à l’égard des citoyens. (This law applies to the citizens.)
16. Concerné par
Pronunciation: kohn-sair-nay par
Meaning: Concerned by or about (emotional or formal usage).
In a Sentence:
- Elle est concernée par la situation actuelle. (She is concerned about the current situation.)
- Ils sont concernés par les changements. (They are concerned about the changes.)
17. Relatif à
Pronunciation: ruh-lah-teef ah
Meaning: Relating to or about.
In a Sentence:
- C’est un livre relatif à l’histoire moderne. (It’s a book relating to modern history.)
- Relatif à votre demande, je vous enverrai les détails. (About your request, I will send you the details.)
18. Circa (borrowed from Latin)
Pronunciation: seer-kah
Meaning: About or approximately (used in historical contexts).
In a Sentence:
- Cette peinture date de circa 1800. (This painting dates to about 1800.)
- Il y avait circa 50 personnes présentes. (There were about 50 people present.)
19. Autrement dit
Pronunciation: oh-truh-mahn dee
Meaning: In other words, or about (figurative).
In a Sentence:
- Autrement dit, nous devons agir vite. (In other words, we must act quickly.)
- Ce sujet, autrement dit, concerne tout le monde. (This topic, in other words, is about everyone.)
20. Autour
Pronunciation: oh-toor
Meaning: Around or about (used geographically).
In a Sentence:
- Il y a beaucoup d’histoires autour de cet événement. (There are many stories about this event.)
- Le magasin est autour de ce quartier. (The store is around this neighborhood.)
21. À la hauteur de
Pronunciation: ah lah oh-teur duh
Meaning: About or at the level of (figuratively or literally).
In a Sentence:
- Cette performance est à la hauteur des attentes. (This performance is about the level of expectations.)
- Le stade est à la hauteur de l’école. (The stadium is about the level of the school.)
22. Concernant à
Pronunciation: kohn-sair-nahn tah
Meaning: About or concerning (used more formally).
In a Sentence:
- Concernant à votre proposition, nous sommes d’accord. (About your proposal, we agree.)
- J’ai une question concernant à votre emploi. (I have a question about your job.)
23. Au bord de
Pronunciation: oh bord duh
Meaning: About to or on the edge of.
In a Sentence:
- Il est au bord de réussir son examen. (He is about to pass his exam.)
- La rivière est au bord de déborder. (The river is about to overflow.)
24. Au-delà de
Pronunciation: oh duh-lah duh
Meaning: Beyond or about (figurative).
In a Sentence:
- Cette idée est au-delà de mes attentes. (This idea is beyond my expectations.)
- Au-delà de ce sujet, parlons d’autre chose. (Beyond this topic, let’s talk about something else.)
25. À partir de
Pronunciation: ah par-teer duh
Meaning: Starting from or about (a specific point).
In a Sentence:
- À partir de maintenant, nous suivons un nouveau plan. (Starting from now, we follow a new plan.)
- Les données sont collectées à partir de cette date. (The data is collected from about this date.)
26. Environnant
Pronunciation: ahn-vee-ro-nahn
Meaning: Surrounding or about (used geographically).
In a Sentence:
- Les villages environnants sont charmants. (The surrounding villages are charming.)
- Environnant ce lieu, il y a beaucoup à découvrir. (Surrounding this place, there is much to discover.)
27. Presque
Pronunciation: pres-kuh
Meaning: Almost or about (approximation).
In a Sentence:
- Elle a presque fini ses devoirs. (She has almost finished her homework.)
- C’est presque l’heure de partir. (It’s about time to leave.)
28. Près de
Pronunciation: preh duh
Meaning: Near or about (used for proximity).
In a Sentence:
- La bibliothèque est près de l’école. (The library is near the school.)
- Nous sommes près de la rivière. (We are about the river.)
29. Autour d’ici
Pronunciation: oh-toor dee-see
Meaning: Around here or about here.
In a Sentence:
- Il y a un bon café autour d’ici. (There is a good café around here.)
- Nous cherchons quelque chose d’intéressant autour d’ici. (We are looking for something interesting about here.)
30. Par ici
Pronunciation: par ee-see
Meaning: Around here or about here (colloquial).
In a Sentence:
- Il y a beaucoup de magasins par ici. (There are many stores around here.)
- On peut trouver un parc par ici. (You can find a park about here.)
31. Au-delà
Pronunciation: oh duh-lah
Meaning: Beyond or about (general).
In a Sentence:
- Il pense toujours au-delà de l’évidence. (He always thinks beyond the obvious.)
- Nous devons aller au-delà de nos peurs. (We need to go beyond our fears.)
32. Par ailleurs
Pronunciation: par ah-yur
Meaning: Furthermore or about (contextual).
In a Sentence:
- Par ailleurs, j’aimerais discuter de vos idées. (Furthermore, I would like to discuss your ideas.)
- Par ailleurs, ce sujet est intéressant. (Moreover, this topic is about interesting ideas.)
33. À l’entour
Pronunciation: ah lahnt-toor
Meaning: Around or about (geographic or proximity).
In a Sentence:
- Il y a beaucoup de maisons à l’entour. (There are many houses around.)
- On peut trouver des arbres à l’entour. (You can find trees about the area.)
34. Quantifiable
Pronunciation: kahn-tee-fi-ah-bluh
Meaning: Measurable or about (quantified).
In a Sentence:
- Les résultats sont quantifiables dans ce contexte. (The results are measurable in this context.)
- Tout ce travail est quantifiable avec précision. (All this work is about quantifiable data.)
Other Ways to Say “About” in French
Here are additional expressions for “about” in French that weren’t covered earlier. These variations will help you sound more natural in different contexts.
| Other Ways to Say | Pronunciation | Meaning | Example Sentences |
| À côté de | ah koh-tay duh | Next to or about (proximity). | La boulangerie est à côté de l’école. (The bakery is next to the school.) |
| Aux alentours de | ohz ah-lahn-toor duh | Around or about (location). | Nous avons trouvé un bon restaurant aux alentours de la gare. (We found a good restaurant near the station.) |
| Concernant | kohn-sair-nahn | Regarding or about. | Concernant cette réunion, je suis disponible. (Regarding this meeting, I am available.) |
| En parlant de | ahn par-lahn duh | Speaking about or of. | En parlant de vacances, avez-vous des plans? (Speaking of vacations, do you have plans?) |
| Aux environs de | ohz ahn-vee-rohn duh | Around or about (location or numbers). | Il habite aux environs de Paris. (He lives around Paris.) |
| Précisément | pray-see-zeh-mahn | Exactly or about (precisely). | Ce document parle précisément de ce sujet. (This document talks exactly about this topic.) |
| Du côté de | dew koh-tay duh | On the side of or about. | Il vit du côté de Marseille. (He lives on the side of Marseille.) |
| Selon | suh-lohn | According to or about. | Selon lui, c’est une bonne idée. (According to him, it’s a good idea.) |
| Par là | par lah | Over there or about there (casual). | Il y a un parc par là. (There’s a park over there.) |
| D’un point de vue | dun pwahn duh vew | From a point of view or about. | D’un point de vue historique, c’est fascinant. (From a historical point of view, it’s fascinating.) |
| À travers | ah trah-vehr | Through or about (in context). | Il a appris beaucoup à travers ses expériences. (He learned a lot through his experiences.) |
| Autour d’eux | oh-toor duh | Around them or about them. | Les gens parlent toujours autour d’eux. (People are always talking about them.) |
| Sur ce point | soor suh pwahn | On this point or about this matter. | Sur ce point, je suis d’accord avec toi. (On this point, I agree with you.) |
| Tout autour | too oh-toor | All around or about (encompassing). | Il y avait des fleurs tout autour du lac. (There were flowers all around the lake.) |
Responses to “About” in French
When someone uses a phrase meaning “about” in French, you might want to reply or add to the conversation naturally. These responses will help you sound more fluent and engaged in a discussion. Below are several ways to respond, depending on the context.
1. C’est intéressant
Pronunciation: say tay-rah-sahn
Meaning: That’s interesting.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: C’est à propos de la science. (It’s about science.)
Person 2: C’est intéressant. (That’s interesting.)
2. Parlez-moi davantage
Pronunciation: par-lay mwah dah-vahn-tahj
Meaning: Tell me more.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: J’ai des informations concernant ce sujet. (I have information about this topic.)
Person 2: Parlez-moi davantage. (Tell me more.)
3. Je suis d’accord
Pronunciation: juh swee dah-kohr
Meaning: I agree.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: C’est une discussion au sujet de l’éducation. (It’s a discussion about education.)
Person 2: Je suis d’accord. (I agree.)
4. Ça me plaît
Pronunciation: sah muh pleh
Meaning: I like it.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Il s’agit d’un projet sur l’art. (It’s a project about art.)
Person 2: Ça me plaît. (I like it.)
5. Ce n’est pas clair
Pronunciation: suh neh pah kler
Meaning: It’s not clear.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Il parle autour de l’économie. (He talks about the economy.)
Person 2: Ce n’est pas clair. (It’s not clear.)
6. Pouvez-vous expliquer?
Pronunciation: poo-veh voo ex-plee-kay
Meaning: Can you explain?
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Cela concerne la nouvelle loi. (It’s about the new law.)
Person 2: Pouvez-vous expliquer? (Can you explain?)
7. Je comprends
Pronunciation: juh kohm-prahn
Meaning: I understand.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Ce rapport est concernant le budget. (This report is about the budget.)
Person 2: Je comprends. (I understand.)
8. Merci pour l’information
Pronunciation: mehr-see poor lan-for-mah-syohn
Meaning: Thank you for the information.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Voici des détails au sujet du programme. (Here are details about the program.)
Person 2: Merci pour l’information. (Thank you for the information.)
9. C’est logique
Pronunciation: say loh-zheek
Meaning: That makes sense.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Tout cela est à propos de la planification. (All this is about planning.)
Person 2: C’est logique. (That makes sense.)
10. Très bien
Pronunciation: tray byahn
Meaning: Very good.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: J’ai appris beaucoup sur ce sujet. (I learned a lot about this topic.)
Person 2: Très bien. (Very good.)
11. Pas de problème
Pronunciation: pah duh proh-blehm
Meaning: No problem.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: C’est au sujet de la réunion de demain. (It’s about tomorrow’s meeting.)
Person 2: Pas de problème. (No problem.)
12. Je vais vérifier
Pronunciation: juh vay veh-ree-fyay
Meaning: I will check.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: C’est concernant les documents. (It’s about the documents.)
Person 2: Je vais vérifier. (I will check.)
Exercise to Practice Using “About” in French
Below are fill-in-the-blank exercises designed to help you practice the different ways to say “about” in French. Try to fill in the blanks with the correct expressions, and check the answers afterward. Each sentence includes its English meaning to help you understand.
Fill-in-the-Blanks
- Ce film parle ________ l’amitié.
(This movie is about friendship.) - Nous avons parlé ________ tes idées hier.
(We talked about your ideas yesterday.) - Il y a ________ trente personnes à la fête.
(There are about thirty people at the party.) - Elle est inquiète ________ la santé de son fils.
(She is worried about her son’s health.) - À ________ ce projet, nous avons besoin de plus de temps.
(Regarding this project, we need more time.) - Ils habitent ________ Paris, dans une petite maison.
(They live around Paris, in a small house.) - Le professeur a donné une leçon ________ la géographie.
(The teacher gave a lesson about geography.) - Ce documentaire est ________ l’histoire ancienne.
(This documentary is about ancient history.) - Je voudrais en savoir plus ________ ce sujet.
(I would like to know more about this topic.) - Les résultats sont ________ ce que nous attendions.
(The results are about what we expected.) - Ce bâtiment est situé ________ dix minutes d’ici.
(This building is located about ten minutes from here.) - Cette discussion est ________ les lois environnementales.
(This discussion is about environmental laws.)
Answers
- de
- à propos de
- environ
- concernant
- l’égard de
- autour de
- sur
- au sujet de
- quant à
- à peu près
- à peu près
- concernant
Conclusion
Understanding how to say “about” in French is a valuable skill that will help you communicate more effectively. Whether you are describing a topic, estimating numbers, or discussing locations, French offers a variety of expressions to fit the situation.
By practicing these phrases and responses, you can express yourself clearly in conversations. Regular use of these words will also make your French sound more natural and fluent. Keep practicing, and soon you will be able to talk “about” anything in French with ease!