A2BeginnerPronouns · Point 18 / 40
on = nous, on = les gens, on + être
In speech, “on” almost always replaces “nous”.
| Use of “on” | Pattern | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| on = nous | — | in speech, “on” almost always replaces “nous”. |
| on = nous | — | “on” = “we”, but the verb stays third-person singular. |
| on = les gens | — | “on” refers to people in general, not one specific group. |
| on | + être | with “être”, the participle usually takes the plural ending. |
The verb stays in the third-person singular, as with “il”: on va, on peut, on est. In the passé composé with “être” the participle usually takes the plural mark: “on est allés”.
In context
Examples from our dialogues
Lines taken from our dialogues. Listen to them, then open the full dialogue to hear them in a real situation.
- Listen
On va à l'épicerie d'abord, puis à la pharmacie.
We'll go to the grocery store first, then the pharmacy.
Check The Full DialogueSaturday-morning errandsLes courses du samedi matin
A2 - Listen
On commence par les cartons de la cuisine, ils sont prêts.
We start with the kitchen boxes, they're ready.
Check The Full DialogueMoving dayLe jour du déménagement
A2 - Listen
On peut venir avec notre fils ?
Can we come with our son?
Check The Full DialogueInviting to a birthday partyInviter à une fête d'anniversaire
A1 - Listen
On peut mélanger n'importe quelle couleur sur place. Vous avez un échantillon ?
We can mix any colour on site. Do you have a sample?
Check The Full DialogueBuying paintAcheter de la peinture
A2 Au Québec, on dit souvent « bonjour » en entrant dans un commerce.
In Quebec, people often say “bonjour” when they walk into a shop.
Watch out
Common mistakes
Mistakes you will often hear, and the right way to say it.
On allons au parc.On va au parc.
Even though “on” means “we”, the verb is conjugated as with “il”: on va, on peut, on est.
Read
Related readings
Short texts where this point comes up. Read them to see it inside a story.