au-dessus de

Word: au-dessus de

Language: French

Part of speech: Prepositional phrase

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Meaning:

The phrase "au-dessus de" means "above," "over," or "on top of" in English. It is used to indicate a position higher than or higher than something else in physical space or, metaphorically, in a hierarchy or level.

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Breakdown:

• au: contraction of "à + le," meaning "at the" or "to the."
• dessus: means "above," "up," or "on top."
• de: means "of" or "from."

When combined, "au-dessus de" literally translates to "at the above of" or more simply "above / over."

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Usage:

• Physical position: L'oiseau vole au-dessus de la maison.
  (The bird flies above the house.)

• Metaphorical: Il est au-dessus de ses collègues en expérience.
  (He is above his colleagues in experience.)

Synonyms:

• sur (on) — although "sur" implies being directly on top whereas "au-dessus de" can imply simply higher up, possibly with some distance.
• plus haut que (higher than)
• par-dessus (over, above, sometimes used in the sense of crossing or passing over)

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Antonyms:

• au-dessous de (below, underneath)
• sous (under)
• en dessous de (underneath)

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Summary:

"au-dessus de" is a French prepositional phrase mainly used to describe spatial (or figurative) superiority or higher position relative to another object or concept. It underscores positioning "above" or "over" something else.