Relative pronouns of place and time (où)

The relative pronoun "où" for places

You already know that means "where" in questions. It also connects a place (like a city, street, or even a parade float) to a description of what happens there.

This is the city where there is a big festival.
C'est la ville où il y a un grand festival.
The street where the floats parade is very lively.
La rue où les chars défilent est très animée.
Here is the float where the clowns dance.
Voici le char où les clowns dansent.

Using "où" for time

In English, we say "the moment when...". In French, you cannot use quand as a relative pronoun for time. Instead, you must use to refer back to a specific moment.

It is two p.m., the moment when the parade begins.
Il est quatorze heures, le moment où le défilé commence.
The moment when the float passes is magical.
Le moment où le char passe est magique.
I like the moment when the crowd sings.
J'aime le moment où la foule chante.

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