Many learners begin by learning French pronouns such as je (I), tu (you), and nous (we). Having mastered these, they’re very surprised to hear on (we) so often in French conversation.
This guide will explain the common pronoun on in French, when it translates to “we,” and other possible translations. Learn how to use it correctly in a sentence and sound natural when you speak French.
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Use on for ‘we’ in French conversations
If you’re learning French beyond the conjugation charts, it’ll be very clear that on is the preferred colloquial “we” in casual conversations. It takes the place of nous (we) and uses the same verb forms as il (he) and elle (she).
The best way to learn how to use on is to see it in action. Listen to and practice this nasal vowel sound and when to pronounce the “n” to follow French pronunciation rules.
- Le guide touristique indique que l’entrée au palais est très chère. On ne peut pas le visiter. = The guidebook says that the ticket to the palace is very expensive. We can’t visit it.
- Je ne peux pas aller faire du patin à glace, alors on va plutôt regarder un film. = I can’t go ice skating, so we are going to watch a movie instead.
- Non, ce n’est pas loin. On peut y aller à pied. = No, it’s not far. We can walk there.
- Il fait froid près du lac, alors on a mis nos blousons. = It’s cold near the lake, so we put on our jackets.
- Oui, on a vu un film. = Yes, we watched a movie.
- On a pris cette photo quand on était en voyage en Europe. = We took this picture when we were traveling in Europe.
- Alors, on se verra ce soir ! = So we will see each other tonight!
When to use nous vs. on in French
The more traditional nous (we) is still preferred in formal, written French. It’s unlikely that you’ll find on meaning “we” in French in this context, unless it’s a part of dialogue. The usage of on as “we” is considered colloquial, and some French speakers will insist they never use nous when speaking, as it sounds like something out of a textbook.
The French have a flair for formality, so if you’re writing something of a more serious nature, it’s best to stick with formulas that use nous and its associated verb conjugations unless otherwise corrected.
An author in the French journal (newspaper) “Le Figaro” notes that nous seems to be disappearing in everyday French, except in cases where it helps to form a precise identity and sense of belonging or purpose to a particular group.
- Nous, les enseignants, proposons cette réforme. = We, the teachers, propose this reform.
- Nous ne resterons plus silencieuses. = We will no longer stay silent.
Other ways to translate on in French
What does on mean in French when “we” doesn’t make sense? This indefinite third-person singular pronoun can be translated various ways. Use on when the identity of the person isn’t known, when referring generally to everyone, or to state general truths. On peut (one can) translate this pronoun in multiple ways in English.
1. One
You can use the unidentified “one” to state general truths, rules, or expectations.
- Si on est dans une bibliothèque, il n’est pas poli de parler au téléphone. = If one is in the library, it’s not polite to talk on the phone.
- Ne faites pas de bruit. On ne parle pas dans la bibliothèque. = Don’t make noise. One doesn’t speak in the library.
2. You
You could use “one” in these situations, but many people might elect to translate it as the general or impersonal “you” in English. It may sound less formal in this way.
- Il est légal de conduire aux États-Unis quand on a plus de seize ans. = It’s legal to drive in the United States when you are over sixteen years old.
- C’est une bonne idée de porter des gants quand on travaille au jardin. = It’s a good idea to wear gloves when you work in the garden.
- Au marché on trouve du poisson frais. = At the market you find fresh fish.
3. They
As an alternative to the passive voice, use the undefined “they” in English. You can also use “they” for generalizations about a group of people.
- On a découvert une épave au fond de l’océan. = They discovered a shipwreck at the bottom of the ocean.
- Au Québec, on parle français. = In Quebec, they speak French.
4. People
Another way we might translate on in French to English is “people.”
- On dit qu’il y a un fantôme dans le théâtre. = People say that there’s a ghost in the theater.
- Ici on mange bien. = Here people eat well.
5. Someone/somebody
When the identity is unknown, on can be a casual alternative to quelqu’un (someone/somebody).
- On vous demande à la réception. = Someone is asking for you at the front desk.
- Je pense qu’on a éraflé ma voiture. = I think somebody scratched my car.
You can’t translate on in French to mean ‘on’ in English
French has its fair share of cognates (words that look like English and mean the same thing), but on is not one of them. To say the English word “on” in French, you’ll need to use the equivalent French preposition, most commonly sur (on).
- Elle a oublié ses clés sur la table. = She forgot her keys on the table.
- Il met des tomates fraîches sur la pizza. = He puts fresh tomatoes on the pizza.
How does adjective agreement work with on in French?
When the subject of the sentence is undetermined or generic, adjectives will use the masculine singular forms.
- Quand on est fatigué, on a moins d’idées. = When one is tired, one has fewer ideas.
If the subject to which on refers is known, any French adjectives will need to agree with the gender and number of that subject. The verb will remain in the third-person singular form.
- On est arrivées ! = We have arrived! (on would refer to a group of women in this case)
Proverbs using on in French
Because one of the main uses of on in French is to express general truths, there are many proverbs that use on. See the table below for some examples.
| French Proverb | Literal English Meaning | English Equivalent |
| Avec des si, on mettrait Paris en bouteille. | With ifs, one could put Paris in a bottle. | If wishes were horses, beggars would ride. |
| C’est dans le besoin que l’on reconnait ses amis. | It’s in need that one recognizes his friends. | A friend in need is a friend indeed. |
| Cést dans les vieux pots qu’on fait les meilleures soupes. | It’s in old pots that one makes the best soups. | If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. |
| C’est en forgeant que l’on devient forgeron. | It’s by forging that one becomes a blacksmith. | Practice makes perfect. |
| Comme on fait son lit on se couche. | As one makes his bed, one lies in it. | You made your bed, now lie in it. |
| En parlant du loup, on en voit la queue. | By talking about the wolf, one sees its tail. | Speak of the devil (and he shall appear). |
| On n’attrape pas les mouches avec du vinaigre. | One doesn’t catch flies with vinegar. | You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. |
Use on with confidence in French
Like many other pronouns, on can be the subject of a sentence. It’s a third-person singular pronoun, sharing its verb forms with il/elle (he/she). It’s incredibly common in everyday French speech as a way to say “we,” though its counterpart nous is still preferred in formal writing.
Depending on the tone and context, one can translate on in French in many different ways, including the general and undefined “one,” or even as “you,” “they,” or “someone.” The best way to master on and other pronouns in French is to see it in action, which is why Rosetta Stone works in a natural way, showing you authentic French in context.
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