Dessus and Dessous

French Adverbs

Dessus and dessous were originally prepositions, but today are more commonly used as adverbs. They are found in a number of adverbial phrases, such as au-dessus/dessous, là-dessus/dessous, and par-dessus/dessous, as well as in various idiomatic expressions.

*Pronunciation OU     U

Despite their similar spelling and subtle (to untrained ears) difference in pronunciation,* dessus and dessous are exact opposites. If you have trouble remembering which means above and which means below, try this: dessous has an extra letter, which makes it heavier, so it sinks below. Dessus is lighter, and thus floats on top. ;-]

Dessus and Dessous
Dessus means on or on top of and is similar in meaning to the preposition sur. However, as you can see in the following examples, sur must be followed by a noun, while dessus can only be used when the noun has already been mentioned.
	La valise est sur la table.		Voici la table - mettez la valise dessus.
	Son nom est marqué sur le papier.		Prenez le papier, son nom est marqué dessus.
	Assieds-toi sur le siège.		Tu vois le siège ? Assieds-toi dessus.
Dessous means under, beneath, or below and is similar in meaning to sous, with the same distinction as between dessus and sur, above.
	La valise est sous la table.		Voici la table - mettez la valise dessous.
	Le prix est marqué sous le verre.		Prenez le verre, le prix est marqué dessous.
	Jean s'est caché sous le siège.		Tu vois le siège ? Jean s'est caché dessous.

Au-dessus and Au-dessous
The construction au-dessus/dessous (de) is used to indicate a fixed object's position: on top of, above vs below, underneath. It can replace sur/sous or dessus/dessous; i.e., it may or may not be followed by a noun. When au-dessus/dessous is followed by a noun, the preposition de must be placed in between.
	Personne ne vit au-dessus de mon appartement.		J'aime mon apparte - personne ne vit au-dessus.
	La valise est au-dessous de la table.		Tu vois cette table ? La valise est au-dessous.
Ci-dessus and Ci-dessous
Ci-dessus/dessous is used in writing, to indicate that something can be found above or below that point.
	Regardez les exemples ci-dessus.		See the above examples.
	Veuillez trouver mon adresse ci-dessous.		Please see my address below.
De dessus and De dessous
De + dessus/dessous is fairly rare. It means from on top of / from underneath.
	Prenez vos livres de dessus la table.		Take your books from/off the table.
	Il a tiré de dessous sa chemise un livre.		He took a book from underneath his shirt.
En dessous
When indicating a position, en dessous is interchangeable with au-dessous. However, it can also mean underhandedly or shiftily. The construction "en dessus" does not exist.
	Le papier est en dessous du livre.		The paper is under the book.
	Il m'a jeté un coup d'oeil en dessous.		He glanced at me shiftily.
Là-dessus and Là-dessous
Là-dessus/dessous designates something that is on top of / underneath something "over there."
	Les livres sont là-dessus.		The books are (on that thing) over there.
	Tu vois l'escalier ? Mets le sac là-dessous.		Do you see the staircase? Put the bag under it.
Par-dessus and Par-dessous
Par-dessus/dessous indicate a sense of movement and may or may not be followed by a noun.
	Il a sauté par-dessus.		He jumped over it.
	Je suis passé par-dessous la barrière		I went under the barrier.
Expressions
	le dessous		bottom, underside, sole, hidden side
	les dessous		underwear
	avoir le dessous		to get the worst of, be at a disadvantage
	connaître le dessous des cartes		to have inside information
	être au-dessous de		to be incapable of
	le dessous de caisse		underbody (of a car)
	un dessous-de-plat		hot pad (for putting under hot dishes)
	un dessous de robe		slip
	le dessous-de-table		under the table payment
	un dessous de verre		coaster, drip mat
	par-dessous la jambe (informal)		carelessly, offhandedly
	le dessus		top
	avoir le dessus		to have the upper hand
	avoir par-dessus la tête de		to be fed up with, to have had enough of
	bras dessus, bras dessous		arm in arm
	dessus dessous		upside down
	un dessus-de-lit		bedspread
	le dessus du panier		the best of the bunch, the upper crust
	un dessus de table		table runner
	un pardessus		overcoat
	par-dessus bord		overboard
	par-dessus la jambe (informal)		carelessly, offhandedly
	par-dessus le marché		into the bargain, on top of that
	par-dessus tout		especially, mainly
	prendre le dessus		to get the upper hand
	reprendre le dessus		to get over it

  

French Grammar Adverbs     Expressions     Prepositions French Pronunciation

  

  

The free, twice-weekly About French newsletter keeps you informed about changes to this site, including new lessons, articles, and forum discussions. Subscribe today! Subscribe to the Newsletter Name Email