The standard French word for “we” is nous. It is used with the verb form sommes to say “we are”: nous sommes. In everyday spoken French, people often use on with a singular verb instead, even when they mean “we.”
Nous = we. “We are” is nous sommes in standard French, or often on est in casual speech.
How to Say “We” in French
French has a standard subject pronoun, nous, and a very common conversational alternative, on. They both can mean “we,” but the verb form and level of formality differ. Compare je suis, “I am”, for the singular form of the same verb.
Different Ways to Say “We”
Nous: The Standard “We”
Nous is the clear, standard subject pronoun for “we.” It is common in writing, presentations, and formal speech. The final s is normally silent before a consonant, but it may link to a following vowel sound in careful speech.
Meaning: We are ready. (masculine or mixed group)
On: A Common Spoken Alternative
In casual conversation, French speakers often use on to mean “we.” Grammatically, on takes a third-person singular verb, so “we are going” becomes on va, not on allons. This form is natural in speech and informal writing.
Meaning: We are going to the movies tonight.
Verb Agreement
Nous takes a first-person plural verb, while on takes a third-person singular verb. For example, “we are” can be nous sommes or conversationally on est. A frequent learner error is combining on with a plural verb.
Choosing Between Nous and On
Use nous in formal writing, careful speech, and when you want to emphasize the group. Use on in relaxed everyday conversation. In spoken French, on often sounds more natural than nous.
Nous vs. On
| Pronoun | Verb agreement | Typical context |
|---|---|---|
| nous | plural | standard, formal, or written |
| on | singular | common conversational “we” |
Pronunciation Tips
Nous sounds roughly like “noo.” In nous sommes, the final s of nous is usually linked to the next word, producing a z sound. On est links smoothly as well; listen to the audio examples for the natural rhythm.
Useful Examples
| French | English |
|---|---|
| Nous parlons français. | We speak French. |
| On habite ici. | We live here. (spoken) |
| Nous allons au marché. | We are going to the market. |
Frequently Asked Questions About We in French
Tap a question below to see the answer.
Is on or nous more common?
Nous is standard and common in writing. On is very common for “we” in everyday conversation.
Do you say nous est?
No. The correct phrase is nous sommes. The phrase on est uses the singular pronoun on.
Summary: We in French
Use nous for standard “we,” with plural verb forms such as nous sommes. In everyday conversation, on often means “we” and takes a singular verb.
