Expression: je m’y connais un peu ...

Paul F.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Expression: je m’y connais un peu ...

I don’t understand the use of the reflexive ‘se connaître’ and the pronoun ‘y’ in the phrase  “je m’y connais un peu en moteurs”. Can someone explain these 2 points, or is it just an expression. 

(I answered “Je connais un peu les moteurs” for “I know a bit about engines”. Would this be an acceptable alternative?)

Asked 5 years ago
Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

It is an idiomatic expression: s’y connaitre en quelque chose. It means « to be versed in something » or « to understand something ». 

Expression: je m’y connais un peu ...

I don’t understand the use of the reflexive ‘se connaître’ and the pronoun ‘y’ in the phrase  “je m’y connais un peu en moteurs”. Can someone explain these 2 points, or is it just an expression. 

(I answered “Je connais un peu les moteurs” for “I know a bit about engines”. Would this be an acceptable alternative?)

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