Preposition for Directions

Aashpreet K.A1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Preposition for Directions

- Le soleil se lève dans l'est. 

- Le soleil se lève à l'est. 

Are both correct? Can you please explain why "dans" is not used? à l'est would mean 'to the east' and not 'in the east'?? - https://www.lawlessfrench.com/vocabulary/directions/ 

Asked 8 months ago
Maarten K.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

Aashpreet, 

this is simply another example of seemingly different preposition usage between French and English. 

I say ‘seemingly’ because it appears that way when we attach a specific English meaning to a French preposition and then expect the French preposition to always have that English meaning. It also happens in reverse, of course. In both languages, prepositions can have an array of meanings and often quite idiomatic usage.

‘ Le soleil se lève à l’est (se couche à l’ouest) ‘ are the expressions used in French, not ‘ dans l’est/dans l’ouest ‘.

 https://www.lawlessfrench.com/grammar/prepositions/

Preposition for Directions

- Le soleil se lève dans l'est. 

- Le soleil se lève à l'est. 

Are both correct? Can you please explain why "dans" is not used? à l'est would mean 'to the east' and not 'in the east'?? - https://www.lawlessfrench.com/vocabulary/directions/ 

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