French expressions & patterns
parler à quelqu'un vs. parler de: how to choose
Same verb, opposite roles for the noun that follows. 'Parler à' names the addressee (à Paul = to Paul). 'Parler de' names the topic (de Paul = about Paul) — the same construction that makes 'dont' resolve to 'parler de' in relative clauses, and the reason 'où' (not que/dont) is needed when the topic is discussed INSIDE a medium like an article (see cmp-qui-que-ou-dont).
The decision: Naming who receives the speech → parler à. Naming what/who is being discussed → parler de.
The choices at a glance
| Choose | When to use it | Pattern and example |
|---|---|---|
| parler à quelqu'un | Naming the person addressed — who you're talking TO. | Je parle à Paul. |
| parler de | Naming the topic or person discussed — what/who you're talking ABOUT. | Je parle de Paul. |
Compare the meaning
Je parle à Paul.
Je parle de Paul.
Practise this decision in FKE
The interactive comparison includes decision practice and links to the related FKE knowledge tools.
Open parler à quelqu'un vs. parler de in FKE