French Phrase
Le bâtiment est de l'autre côté de la place.
Meaning
The sentence tells the listener that the building is situated on the opposite side of the town square. It is a straightforward way to give a spatial reference, especially when directing someone.
When to use
Use this phrase when you need to describe the position of a landmark relative to a public square, such as giving directions to a visitor or explaining where a meeting point is.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Lebâtimentestdel'autrecôtédelaplace.
Definite article agreement
Le (masculine singular) matches the noun bâtiment; la matches the feminine noun place.
Être + location
The verb être is used to state where something is located.
de l'autre côté de
This fixed expression means “on the other side of”. The preposition de introduces the whole locative phrase.
côté (noun)
Côté is a masculine noun; it does not change in the expression de l'autre côté de.
🗨In Conversation
Où est le bâtiment ?
Where is the building?
Le bâtiment est de l'autre côté de la place.
The building is on the other side of the square.
✕Common Mistakes
Le bâtiment est à l'autre côté de la place.
The correct preposition is de, not à, when using the fixed expression de l'autre côté de.
Le bâtiment est sur l'autre côté de la place.
Sur is not used with côté in this idiom; use de l'autre côté de.
Le bâtiment est côté de la place.
The phrase needs the full expression de l'autre côté de, not just côté de.
↔Alternatives
Le bâtiment se trouve de l'autre côté de la place.
The building is located on the other side of the square.
Le bâtiment est situé de l'autre côté de la place.
The building is situated on the other side of the square.
Cultural Tip
In French, "côté" is used with the preposition de to indicate the opposite side (de l'autre côté de). "Place" usually refers to a historic town square, often a central gathering spot. The phrase is neutral in register and works in both formal and informal contexts, but you’ll hear it more often in everyday conversation when giving directions.