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Le train part vers la banlieue.

Le train part vers la banlieue.
The train leaves towards the suburbs.
From Lesson 237:Around town·French

Questions & Answers about Le train part vers la banlieue.

Why is banlieue singular here when the English translation says "suburbs"?
In French, la banlieue is a collective noun used in the singular to describe the entire suburban area surrounding a city. You will sometimes see the plural les banlieues, but usually only when referring to the suburbs of several different cities or distinct suburban zones.
Why do we use part instead of quitte for "leaves"?
The verb partir means to leave in a general sense, like departing. If you wanted to use quitter, you would have to state exactly what the train is leaving, because quitter requires a direct object. For example, you could say Le train quitte la gare (The train leaves the station).
Could I use pour instead of vers in this sentence?
Yes, but it changes the meaning slightly. Le train part vers la banlieue means it is heading towards the suburbs, emphasizing the physical direction. If you said Le train part pour la banlieue, it would mean it is leaving for the suburbs, making it the final intended destination.

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