sous le ville
sous the city
Literalmente: under the city
Use `sous la ville` to describe the hidden, underground world of subways and tunnels beneath urban streets.
En 15 segundos
- Refers to everything located beneath the city streets.
- Commonly used for subways, tunnels, and historical catacombs.
- Requires the feminine 'la' because 'ville' is a feminine noun.
Significado
This phrase describes everything happening beneath the streets of a town or city. It refers to the hidden world of subways, catacombs, and ancient tunnels that most people walk over every day.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6Explaining the subway system
Le métro circule sous la ville toute la journée.
The subway runs under the city all day.
Talking about the Paris Catacombs
Il y a des millions de squelettes sous la ville.
There are millions of skeletons under the city.
Texting a friend about bad signal
Désolé, je suis sous la ville, le signal est mauvais !
Sorry, I'm under the city, the signal is bad!
Contexto cultural
The phrase is deeply tied to the 'Empire of the Dead' (the Catacombs) and the world's first comprehensive sewer systems in Paris. It gained a romantic, mysterious edge through 19th-century literature like Victor Hugo's 'Les Misérables.' Today, it is part of the 'urban explorer' subculture known as 'cataphiles' who explore the city's forbidden tunnels.
The Gender Trap
Always remember 'la ville'. Even if you think 'le ville' sounds better, it will immediately mark you as a beginner. Think of 'La Ville Lumière' (The City of Light) to remember it's feminine.
Don't get lost
Don't confuse 'sous la ville' with 'en ville'. If you say you are 'sous la ville' when you are actually shopping at a mall, people will think you are in the basement or a tunnel!
En 15 segundos
- Refers to everything located beneath the city streets.
- Commonly used for subways, tunnels, and historical catacombs.
- Requires the feminine 'la' because 'ville' is a feminine noun.
What It Means
Sous la ville is a simple way to talk about the subterranean world. In French, sous means under and la ville means the city. Note that ville is feminine, so we always use la. It evokes a sense of mystery or utility. Think of the massive network of Metro lines in Paris. Or the famous, slightly spooky catacombs where history rests. When you say sous la ville, you are pointing to what is hidden from the sun. It is the literal foundation of urban life.
How To Use It
You will mostly use this phrase as a prepositional phrase. It usually follows a verb of existence or movement. For example, you might say something se trouve (is located) or circule (circulates) sous la ville. It is very common when discussing public transport or infrastructure. You can also use it poetically to describe secrets. Just place it at the end of your sentence to provide context. It acts like a stage setting for your action.
When To Use It
Use this when you are a tourist exploring the Paris sewers. Use it when you are explaining why your phone lost signal. It is perfect for talking about the subway system with friends. If you are a history buff, use it to describe archaeological finds. It works well in casual conversation and formal reports alike. You might even use it when texting someone while underground. It is a very versatile, everyday phrase for any city dweller.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this if you mean you are "in town." For that, you should use en ville. If you are just going to the shops, sous la ville makes it sound like you are crawling through pipes. Avoid using it for "downstairs" in a building; use en bas instead. It specifically refers to the earth or structures beneath the street level. Also, remember that ville is feminine. Saying sous le ville is a common mistake that sounds a bit clunky to locals.
Cultural Background
France, especially Paris, has a deep obsession with its underground. The city is like a Swiss cheese of tunnels and quarries. The Paris Catacombs hold the remains of millions of people. The Sewer Museum is a legitimate, popular tourist attraction. Even the Metro is a source of national pride and daily frustration. For a Frenchman, sous la ville represents a second, secret map of their home. It is a place of history, resistance, and modern engineering.
Common Variations
You might hear dans les souterrains for "in the underground passages." People often just say dans le métro if they are specifically talking about the train. Sous les pavés (under the cobblestones) is a famous revolutionary slogan. If you want to be more specific about a village, use sous le village. For a very large city, you might hear sous la métropole. However, sous la ville remains the most standard and clear version for daily use.
Notas de uso
The most important thing to remember is the gender: it's `la ville`. Use this phrase specifically for things physically located beneath the street level.
The Gender Trap
Always remember 'la ville'. Even if you think 'le ville' sounds better, it will immediately mark you as a beginner. Think of 'La Ville Lumière' (The City of Light) to remember it's feminine.
Don't get lost
Don't confuse 'sous la ville' with 'en ville'. If you say you are 'sous la ville' when you are actually shopping at a mall, people will think you are in the basement or a tunnel!
The Secret Underground
In Paris, there is a whole subculture of 'cataphiles' who illegally enter the tunnels 'sous la ville' to paint murals or hold secret parties. It's a hidden world!
Ejemplos
6Le métro circule sous la ville toute la journée.
The subway runs under the city all day.
A very common, factual way to describe public transport.
Il y a des millions de squelettes sous la ville.
There are millions of skeletons under the city.
A spooky but true fact about Parisian history.
Désolé, je suis sous la ville, le signal est mauvais !
Sorry, I'm under the city, the signal is bad!
A relatable modern excuse for missing a call.
Une ancienne rivière coule encore sous la ville.
An ancient river still flows under the city.
Used to describe hidden geographical features.
Mes clés sont probablement avec les rats sous la ville.
My keys are probably with the rats under the city.
A humorous way to say something is gone forever.
On se retrouve dans le passage secret sous la ville.
We meet in the secret passage under the city.
Adds a sense of mystery or adventure.
Ponte a prueba
Choose the correct article for the phrase 'under the city'.
Le tunnel passe ___ la ville.
'Ville' is a feminine noun in French, so it must be preceded by 'la'.
Which verb fits best to describe the subway's location?
Le métro se ___ sous la ville.
'Se trouve' means 'is located', which makes sense for the subway's position.
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Ayudas visuales
Formality of 'Sous la ville'
Used when texting friends about being in the subway.
Je suis sous la ville !
The standard way to describe tunnels or infrastructure.
Les câbles passent sous la ville.
Used in historical documentaries or urban planning.
L'histoire se cache sous la ville.
Where to use 'Sous la ville'
The Subway
Le métro est sous la ville.
Catacombs
Visiter les os sous la ville.
Sewers
Les égouts sont sous la ville.
Lost Signal
Pas de réseau sous la ville.
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasIt is always sous la ville. In French, the word ville is feminine, so it requires the feminine article la.
Yes, it is very common to use it when referring to the Metro system, as in Le métro est sous la ville.
No, 'downtown' is usually translated as le centre-ville. Sous la ville literally means underneath the ground level.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss when talking about construction or with a friend when talking about the catacombs.
The opposite would be au-dessus de la ville, which means 'above the city' (like a plane or a bird).
Technically yes, but you would say sous le village since village is masculine. Ville specifically refers to a city or town.
Sous is a simple preposition used before a noun. En dessous is usually used as an adverb at the end of a sentence.
Yes, many French authors use it to describe the 'hidden' side of society or the literal tunnels of Paris.
You can, but cité usually refers to an ancient city or a housing project. Ville is the standard word for a modern city.
Not necessarily, though it often refers to sewers or tunnels which aren't the cleanest places!
Frases relacionadas
En ville
In town / Downtown
Dans le métro
In the subway
Les souterrains
The underground passages
Sous terre
Underground
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