{"id":14492,"date":"2020-07-27T15:36:00","date_gmt":"2020-07-27T13:36:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.frenchcourses-paris.com\/?p=14492"},"modified":"2026-04-27T08:51:59","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T06:51:59","slug":"meanings-of-the-french-pronoun-on","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.frenchcourses-paris.com\/fr\/french-grammar\/meanings-of-the-french-pronoun-on\/","title":{"rendered":"The Meanings of the French Pronoun On"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The French pronoun On<\/em> generally means \u00ab\u00a0We\u00a0\u00bb<\/em> in English. However, it can also refer to \u00ab\u00a0one\u00a0\u00bb, \u00ab\u00a0people\u00a0\u00bb, \u00ab\u00a0you\u00a0\u00bb, \u00ab\u00a0they\u00a0\u00bb, \u00ab\u00a0he \/ she\u00a0\u00bb, and even \u00ab\u00a0I\u00a0\u00bb. Yet, it is not easy to understand how to use this pronoun and to translate it into English<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In this French lesson, you’ll learn how to use \u00ab\u00a0on\u00a0\u00bb in context, with concrete examples<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"The<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The key to understanding the use of on<\/em> is to rely on the context.  <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In this online French lesson, we provide clear explanations and example sentences to help you.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
1. On<\/em> means We<\/em><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

You probably learned in French school that \u201con\u201d meant \u2018one\u2019 in English. And it\u2019s true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, in modern spoken French, \u201con\u201d is almost always used instead of \u201cnous\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn\u201d \u2013 Examples<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n

So, let me use \u201con\u201d in some simple sentences, to describe my life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Daniel et moi, on vit en concubinage.
    Daniel and I, we live together.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. On est fran\u00e7ais et on est aussi am\u00e9ricains.
    We are French and we also are American.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. On habite \u00e0 Paris, en France.
    We live in Paris, France.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. On est \u00e0 c\u00f4t\u00e9 de St-Germain-des-Pr\u00e9s, c\u2019est chouette
    We are close to St-Germain-des-Pr\u00e9s, it\u2019s cool.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. On fait du jogging, de la randonn\u00e9e et de la natation.
    We practice jogging, hiking, and swimming.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
    What\u2019s the difference between On<\/em> and Nous<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

     \u201cNous\u201d is nowadays mostly used in formal contexts (politics, academia, etc.)<\/strong>, when you are watching your language and selecting the most appropriate register depending on the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    2. On<\/em> For Someone<\/em><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

    In the same spirit, \u201con\u201d can be used instead of someone:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example : r\u00e9ponds si on te parle \u2013 answer if someone speaks to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    3. On<\/em> Means People<\/em> in General, one<\/em> or they<\/em><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

    So, still in this impersonal idea \u201con\u201d may be translated as \u201cpeople\u201d or \u201cthey\u201d:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. En g\u00e9n\u00e9ral en France, on mange son hamburger avec une fourchette et un couteau.
      Usually in France, people eat their burger with a fork and a knife.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. \u00ab\u00a0Sur le pont d\u2019Avignon, on y danse on y danse\u00a0\u00bb (famous French song)
      \u00ab\u00a0On the Avignon bridge, people dance, people dance\u00a0\u00bb.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
      4. The French pronoun On<\/em> is Used Instead of the Passive Voice<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

      \u201cOn\u201d is often used in French where English would used a passive voice. Again, the subject is not clear: it\u2019s a person, but no-one in particular.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Here are some examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      1. On m\u2019a dit de lui parler \u2013 I was told to talk to him<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      2. On lui a demand\u00e9 de partir  \u2013 he was asked to leave<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      3. On a trouv\u00e9 une lettre \u2013 a letter was found<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      4. Ici on parle anglais \u2013 English is spoken here<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
        5. Adjective Agreements with On<\/em><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

        Ok, so the verb is an \u201cil\u201d form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        What about the agreement with the adjective?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Here, the only thing that matters here is the context. You need to think about what the French pronoun On means, and who it replaces. Then make the adjective agree with this meaning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n
        1. When \u201con\u201d means \u201cnous\u201d, the adjective will be plural<\/strong>
          That is a sure thing. It may be plural masculine or feminine, depending on who \u201con\u201d replaces.
          (Olivier and Camille) = On est am\u00e9ricains<\/strong> (with an S)
          (Camille and Le\u00efla) = On est am\u00e9ricaines<\/strong> (with an E and an S)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        2. When \u201con\u201d means \u201cone \/ people \/ you\u201d it\u2019s usually masculine<\/strong>
          In French, when in doubt, go for masculine:
          Quand on est malade, on est fatigu\u00e9.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
          \"Caf\u00e9<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
          6. On<\/em> in the Negative = Don\u2019t Forget the negation (n\u2019 or ne\u2026 pas)<\/em><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

          Examples :<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n