Preposition Chez (At Someone's Place)

The most important thing to remember is that chez is about people, not buildings. In English, we say "I am at the bakery." In French, you say Je suis à la boulangerie because the bakery is a place. But if you think of the baker, you say Je suis chez le boulanger. Chez always points to a person, a group of people, or a professional. It creates a bubble of space around that person. When you say chez Marie, you aren't just talking about her house. You are talking about her personal domain. It’s like a grammar force field that only applies to humans (and sometimes brands that feel like people). It covers both being somewhere and going somewhere. You don't need a different word for "to" or "at." Chez does both jobs perfectly.

1. 1Using chez is actually quite straightforward. You don't have to worry about complex conjugations or gender changes for the preposition itself. Here is the simple 3-step process:
2. 2Start with the word chez.
3. 3Add the person’s name, a stressed pronoun, or a professional title.
4. 4Place it after your verb (usually aller, être, or passer).
5. 5With a Name: chez + Pierre = chez Pierre (At Pierre's place).
6. 6With a Stressed Pronoun: chez + moi/toi/lui/elle/nous/vous/eux/elles = chez moi (At my place).
7. 7With a Professional: chez + le/la + Job = chez le médecin (At the doctor's).
8. 8It’s that easy! No hidden traps, just a straight line from the preposition to the person.

You will find yourself reaching for chez in three main scenarios. First, use it for homes. If you are visiting a friend or going home, chez is your best friend. Je vais chez Sophie sounds much more natural than trying to describe her house. Second, use it for professionals. In France, you don't go to "the doctor's office"; you go "to the doctor." So, it's chez le médecin or chez le coiffeur. Third, use it for brands or businesses named after people. If you’re heading to a famous fashion house or a local shop named Chez Marcel, you use the word. It also works for general groups, like chez les Français (among the French). It’s the ultimate "people-centric" preposition. Use it when you want to feel like a local.

This is where many learners hit a red light. Do not use chez for geographic locations or inanimate buildings that aren't defined by a person. You cannot say chez le cinéma or chez la banque. These aren't people; they are institutions. For these, you’ll stick with à, au, or à la. Also, avoid using chez when you are talking about a specific room in a house. You are dans la cuisine (in the kitchen), not chez la cuisine. Unless, of course, your kitchen is a sentient being that invites you over for coffee—but that’s a different conversation entirely. Keep chez for humans, and you’ll be safe.

The #1 mistake? Using à with a person. Learners often say Je vais à mon ami. To a French ear, this sounds like you are physically walking into your friend’s body. Ouch. Always use chez for people. Another classic slip-up is chez le supermarché. While people work there, the supermarket is a place, so it’s au supermarché. Also, watch out for your pronouns! Don't use subject pronouns like je or tu. You can't say chez je. It must be the stressed pronoun: chez moi. Think of it like this: chez is a VIP club, and only names, titles, and stressed pronouns are on the guest list.

You might wonder: why not just say à la maison? You can! Je suis à la maison and Je suis chez moi both mean "I am at home." However, chez moi feels more personal and cozy. It’s "my place," whereas à la maison is just "the house." Also, contrast chez with avec (with). Je suis avec Marc means he is standing next to you. Je suis chez Marc means you are at his house, even if he’s currently out buying more cheese. One is about company; the other is about location. Understanding this distinction is a major step in moving from a textbook learner to a real French speaker.