dessus/də.sy/
adverb / noun / preposition · A2 · Frequency 635
adverb
Meanings
on (it)
Indicates position above something.
Examples
J'ai posé le dossier dessus.
I put the folder on it.
Le chat a sauté dessus.
The cat jumped on it.
Le cabinet du médecin est juste dessus.
The doctor's office is just upstairs.
Collocations
- au-dessusabove
- habiter au-dessusto live upstairs
Common mistakes
Le livre est desus.
Le livre est dessus.
The lemma dessus is spelled with two s’s in the middle; desus is not a correct French form.
Related words
nounmasculine
Meanings
upside; top side
Refers to the upper or top part of an object.
the upper hand; advantage
Refers to an advantageous position in competition or conflict.
dessus (highest voice part in Baroque music)
Refers to the highest vocal part in Baroque music.
Examples
Le dessus du meuble est couvert de poussière.
The top of the piece of furniture is covered in dust.
Après plusieurs manches, Clara a finalement gardé le dessus.
After several rounds, Clara ultimately kept the upper hand.
Dans cette œuvre baroque, le dessus reprend le thème principal.
In this Baroque work, the dessus repeats the main theme.
Collocations
- le dessus de la tablethe top of the table
- avoir le dessusto have the upper hand
Common mistakes
J'ai posé le livre dessus la table.
J'ai posé le livre sur la table.
dessus is normally an adverb or noun, not a preposition placed directly before a noun; use sur before a noun.
Related words
preposition
Meanings
on, on top of
Used as a preposition indicating spatial relation, followed by a noun or pronoun.
above, on top
Used as an adverb indicating position, typically used independently or with verbs.
Examples
Le tableau est accroché dessus le mur du salon.
The painting is hung on the living room wall.
Le chat saute dessus sans prévenir.
The cat jumps on top suddenly.
Collocations
- poser quelque chose dessusto put something on top
- marcher dessusto walk on top of
- regarder dessusto look above
Common mistakes
Je mets le livre dessus de la table.
Je mets le livre dessus la table.
The preposition 'dessus' is used without the article 'de' before the noun.
Il est dessus la maison.
Il est dessus.
The adverb 'dessus' is usually used independently, not directly followed by a noun.