Question 1

Why use en revanche here instead of par contre?

Accepted Answer

Both mean "on the other hand" or "however," and they are often interchangeable. En revanche is considered slightly more formal and elegant in writing than par contre. It is often used to introduce a negative point (lack of privacy) that contrasts with a positive one (brightness).

Question 2

What exactly does vis-à-vis mean in this context?

Accepted Answer

In French real estate, le vis-à-vis refers to having buildings or neighbors whose windows look directly into yours. Saying an apartment has du vis-à-vis means it lacks privacy because people across the way can see inside. It is a very common phrase when apartment hunting!

Question 3

Why do we use the article du in il y a du vis-à-vis?

Accepted Answer

Because vis-à-vis is being treated as an uncountable noun here, much like "noise" or "privacy" in English. You are expressing that there is "some" overlook from neighbors, so you use the partitive article du (the mandatory contraction of de + le).

Question 4

Why is it l'appartement le plus lumineux instead of just le plus lumineux appartement?

Accepted Answer

In French, most adjectives go after the noun, and their superlatives follow the exact same rule. When the adjective follows the noun, you must repeat the definite article (le, la, or les). So the structure translates literally as "the apartment the most bright."

C'est l'appartement le plus lumineux. En revanche, il y a du vis-à-vis.

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