avoir lieu
to take place
حرفيًا: to have place
Use `avoir lieu` for any scheduled event or occurrence happening in a specific time or location.
في 15 ثانية
- Used to describe events happening at a specific time or place.
- Only conjugate the verb 'avoir'; the word 'lieu' stays the same.
- Perfect for meetings, parties, concerts, and official news reports.
المعنى
This phrase is the go-to way to say something is happening or scheduled. It is used for events like parties, meetings, or even accidents to describe them taking place in time or space.
أمثلة رئيسية
3 من 6Confirming a meeting time
La réunion aura lieu demain à neuf heures.
The meeting will take place tomorrow at nine o'clock.
Texting a friend about a party
La fête a lieu chez moi ce soir !
The party is taking place at my house tonight!
Reporting an accident on the news
L'accident a eu lieu près de la gare.
The accident took place near the train station.
خلفية ثقافية
The phrase reflects the French emphasis on 'le lieu' (the place) as a defining characteristic of an event. It has been the standard way to announce official gatherings since the 17th century and remains unchanged across the French-speaking world, from Paris to Quebec.
The 'Lieu' stays singular
Even if ten different events are happening, you still say 'ont lieu' (plural verb) but 'lieu' stays singular. It's a fixed part of the phrase!
Don't confuse with 'se passer'
Use 'avoir lieu' for planned events. Use 'se passer' for 'What's going on?' or unplanned drama.
في 15 ثانية
- Used to describe events happening at a specific time or place.
- Only conjugate the verb 'avoir'; the word 'lieu' stays the same.
- Perfect for meetings, parties, concerts, and official news reports.
What It Means
Think of avoir lieu as the heartbeat of your social calendar. It literally means 'to have place.' In English, we say something 'takes place.' It implies that an event has claimed a spot on the map or the clock. It is elegant, simple, and very common. You use it for anything that is an 'event.' This includes a concert, a wedding, or a quick coffee date. It is the backbone of planning in French.
How To Use It
You only need to conjugate the verb avoir. The word lieu never changes. It stays singular and masculine. You can use it in any tense. For the past, use a eu lieu. For the future, use aura lieu. It is usually followed by a time or a location. For example, Le match a lieu à Paris. Or, La fête aura lieu samedi. It is very flexible and reliable. Just don't try to pluralize lieu here! It is a fixed expression that stays exactly as it is.
When To Use It
Use this when you are being a bit more specific than just saying 'it is.' If you are at work, use it for meetings. If you are texting a friend about a party, it works perfectly. It is great for news reports too. Use it when an event is organized or notable. It feels more 'official' than just saying c'est. If a festival is happening, avoir lieu is your best friend. It gives the event a sense of importance. It sounds like you know exactly what is going on.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for physical objects. You cannot say your keys ont lieu on the table. That would sound very strange! Also, avoid it for vague feelings or spontaneous vibes. If you want to ask 'What's happening?' in a messy, unplanned way, use se passer. Avoir lieu is for things with a start and end time. It is not for a general state of being. Don't use it to mean 'to take the place of someone' either. That is a different phrase entirely. Keep it strictly for events and occurrences.
Cultural Background
French culture loves a good schedule and a clear venue. This phrase reflects that organized mindset. It dates back centuries, showing how events 'occupy' space in the world. In France, social events are often formal and planned in advance. Using avoir lieu shows you respect the structure of the event. It is a very 'clean' way to speak. It avoids the slangy feel of other verbs. It makes you sound like a polished, capable speaker of the language.
Common Variations
You will often see se tenir as a more formal alternative. In news or high-level business, they might say La conférence se tiendra. However, avoir lieu is the king of everyday neutral French. You might also hear donner lieu à. This means 'to give rise to' or 'to cause.' For example, a debate might donner lieu à an argument. But for 90% of your needs, the standard avoir lieu is perfect. Stick with the classic and you can't go wrong.
ملاحظات الاستخدام
The phrase is neutral and safe for all contexts. Remember that 'lieu' remains singular regardless of the number of events being discussed.
The 'Lieu' stays singular
Even if ten different events are happening, you still say 'ont lieu' (plural verb) but 'lieu' stays singular. It's a fixed part of the phrase!
Don't confuse with 'se passer'
Use 'avoir lieu' for planned events. Use 'se passer' for 'What's going on?' or unplanned drama.
The 'Rendez-vous' Secret
French people use this phrase to sound organized. Using it for a simple coffee date makes you sound very reliable and punctual.
أمثلة
6La réunion aura lieu demain à neuf heures.
The meeting will take place tomorrow at nine o'clock.
The future tense 'aura' shows a scheduled professional event.
La fête a lieu chez moi ce soir !
The party is taking place at my house tonight!
Using the present tense for an immediate upcoming event.
L'accident a eu lieu près de la gare.
The accident took place near the train station.
The passé composé 'a eu lieu' is used for past events.
Le concert a lieu où, exactement ?
Where exactly is the concert taking place?
A common way to ask for a location in a friendly way.
Le mariage a lieu depuis trois jours !
The wedding has been taking place for three days!
Exaggerating the duration of an event for comedic effect.
Cette rencontre historique a eu lieu en 1989.
This historic meeting took place in 1989.
Used to anchor an emotional or significant event in history.
اختبر نفسك
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'avoir lieu' in the present tense.
Le festival ___ chaque année en juillet.
Since 'Le festival' is singular, we use the third-person singular form of 'avoir'.
Choose the correct past tense form.
La cérémonie ___ hier soir.
'A eu lieu' is the passé composé, used for completed actions in the past.
🎉 النتيجة: /2
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Formality of 'Happening'
Used for 'what's up' or messy events.
Ça se passe comment ?
The standard way to say something happens.
Le match a lieu à 20h.
Used for official ceremonies or high-level news.
Le sommet se tiendra à Paris.
Where does 'avoir lieu' fit?
Professional
Meetings and conferences
Social
Parties and dinners
News
Accidents or events
Culture
Concerts and festivals
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةYes, but specifically for events. You wouldn't use it for a random coincidence; you use it for something that 'takes place' like La fête a lieu demain.
The verb avoir can be plural, like Les matchs ont lieu ici, but the word lieu never becomes lieux in this expression.
Not at all! It is perfectly neutral. You can text a friend Ça a lieu où ? (Where is it taking place?) without sounding stiff.
Avoir lieu is for scheduled events. Se passer is for the unfolding of an action or unplanned events, like Qu'est-ce qui se passe ? (What's happening?).
You use the passé composé: ça a eu lieu. For example, Le concert a eu lieu hier.
No, you cannot say a person 'a lieu.' It is only for events, meetings, or occurrences.
Yes, se tenir is more formal. You might see La séance se tient à huis clos in a legal or high-level context.
Yes, it is very common in news reports. L'accident a eu lieu sur l'autoroute is a standard way to report it.
Usually yes, if you are giving a location or time, like à Paris or le 5 mai.
That is a different, very formal expression meaning 'to have reason to.' Stick to avoir lieu on its own for 'taking place'.
عبارات ذات صلة
se passer
arriver
se tenir
donner lieu à
au lieu de
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