Mon bureau est dans mon appartement.

My office is in my apartment.

Breakdown of Mon bureau est dans mon appartement.

• être: to be
• mon: my
• dans: in
• l'appartement: the apartment
• le bureau: the office

Questions & Answers about Mon bureau est dans mon appartement.

Why does "bureau" sometimes mean "desk" and sometimes mean "office"?

The French word "bureau" can mean both "desk" (the piece of furniture) and "office" (a room or workspace). The exact meaning depends on the context. In this sentence, "Mon bureau est dans mon appartement," it naturally means "My office is in my apartment." However, if you were talking about furniture, it would mean "my desk."

Why is the possessive adjective "mon" used twice in a row here?

In French, possessive adjectives agree with the noun that follows, rather than with the person who possesses it. Because both "bureau" (office) and "appartement" (apartment) are masculine nouns (in the singular form), "mon" is used for both.

Is there a difference between using "dans" and other French prepositions like "à" or "en"?

"Dans" indicates being physically inside something, such as a building or space. "À" or "en" can sometimes indicate location too, but they often carry different nuances (for example, "à Paris" means "in Paris," but you wouldn’t typically use "dans Paris" unless emphasizing being inside the city limits). In this sentence, "dans mon appartement" stresses the idea that your office is located inside your actual apartment.

Could I say "Mon bureau est dans l’appartement" if it belongs to me anyway?

Grammatically, you can, but using "mon appartement" stresses personal ownership. Saying "dans l’appartement" is possible, though it sounds more general. If you’re pointing out that the apartment is yours (and not just any apartment), "mon appartement" is perfectly natural.

Why do we use "est" instead of "c’est"?

"Est" is the third-person singular of "être," simply stating that something exists or is located somewhere. "C’est" means "it is" or "this is," and it’s usually followed by a noun or pronoun that identifies or describes something in a more general sense. Here, you’re not introducing your office but rather telling where it is, so "est" is used.