French Phrase
On va par où depuis l'arche ?
Meaning
Literally, “Which way do we go from the arch?” It is a casual way to ask for directions when you are standing at a known landmark – in this case, an arch (often the Arc de Triomphe in Paris).
When to use
Use this sentence when you’re with friends or a guide and need to know the next step after reaching a landmark. It works in informal conversations, city‑tour contexts, or when you’re exploring a new neighbourhood.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Onvaparoùdepuisl'arche?
On (impersonal pronoun)
‘On’ is an indefinite pronoun meaning ‘we’, ‘one’, or ‘people in general’, and it takes a third‑person singular verb.
va (present of aller)
‘Va’ is the third‑person singular present of the verb ‘aller’ (to go).
par où (interrogative phrase)
‘Par où’ literally means ‘by which way’ and is used to ask for a route or direction.
depuis (preposition)
‘Depuis’ indicates the starting point of a movement in space or time; here it means ‘from’ (as in ‘starting from the arch’).
l' (elision)
The article ‘le/la’ elides before a vowel, becoming ‘l’’, as in ‘l’arche’.
🗨In Conversation
On va par où depuis l'arche ?
Which way should we go from the arch?
Prends la rue de Rivoli, puis tourne à gauche au premier feu.
Take Rue de Rivoli, then turn left at the first traffic light.
✕Common Mistakes
On va où depuis l'arche ?
Using just ‘où’ asks for a location, not a route. You need ‘par où’ to ask ‘which way’.
On va par où de l'arche ?
‘De’ means ‘of/from’ but does not convey the idea of a starting point for movement; ‘depuis’ is the correct preposition here.
On va par où depuis le arche ?
If the noun starts with a vowel, the article must elide to ‘l’’. Forgetting the apostrophe is a common spelling error.
↔Alternatives
Par où faut‑il aller depuis l'arche ?
Which way should we go from the arch?
Quel chemin prendre depuis l'arche ?
Which path should we take from the arch?
On se dirige où à partir de l'arche ?
Where are we heading from the arch?
Cultural Tip
In French, ‘par où’ is preferred over a simple ‘où’ when you’re asking for a route. Also, native speakers often use ‘à partir de’ instead of ‘depuis’ for a more formal tone, but ‘depuis’ sounds natural in everyday speech. If you’re referring to the famous Arc de Triomphe, locals will instantly understand the landmark without needing extra description.