French Phrase
C'est à un pâté de maisons.
Meaning
Literally, "It's a pâté of houses away," this idiomatic French expression means that something is only a few houses away, i.e., a very short walking distance.
When to use
Use this phrase when giving directions or describing a location that is just a few houses down the street. It’s informal and works best in casual conversation.
✦Grammar Breakdown
C'estàunpâtédemaisons
C'est
Contraction of "cela est"; used to point out or identify something.
à
Preposition indicating location or distance in this context.
un pâté de
Colloquial idiom meaning "a short distance", literally "a pâté of" (as in a small block).
maisons
Plural of "maison" (house); used here to convey the idea of a few houses away.
🗨In Conversation
Où se trouve la pharmacie?
Where is the pharmacy?
C'est à un pâté de maisons, à droite du café.
It's a few houses away, to the right of the café.
✕Common Mistakes
C'est à un pâté de maison.
The noun "maison" must stay plural because the idiom refers to several houses.
C'est à un pâté de maisons, meaning a meat paste of houses.
Do not translate "pâté" literally as a food; it’s an idiom meaning a short distance.
C'est à un pâté de maison.
Missing the plural "maisons" makes the phrase sound ungrammatical.
↔Alternatives
C'est à deux pas.
It's a stone's throw away.
C'est à quelques mètres.
It's a few meters away.
C'est à proximité.
It's nearby.
Cultural Tip
The expression "un pâté de maisons" is typical of everyday French, especially in Parisian speech. It evokes the image of a small block of houses, like a pâté (a dense, compact food). It’s informal, so avoid it in formal writing or when speaking to strangers you need to be polite with.