👤 The French Subject Pronoun “On” Explained
One of the trickiest pronouns for French learners is on. It looks simple but has several different uses. Unlike English, where “one” is rare and formal, the French on is very common in everyday speech.
This guide explains what “on” means in French, when to use it, and how to conjugate it.
1. What Is On?
👉 On is a subject pronoun in French.
It is always conjugated like il/elle (third-person singular).
Example:
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On parle français. → One speaks French.
But its meaning changes depending on context!
2. Different Meanings of On
1) On = One / People in general
Used in formal or general statements.
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On doit manger pour vivre. → One must eat to live.
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On ne sait jamais. → One never knows.
2) On = We (very common in spoken French)
In everyday French, on often replaces nous.
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On va au cinéma ? → Shall we go to the cinema?
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On habite à Paris. → We live in Paris.
👉 In casual speech, French people prefer on instead of nous.
3) On = Someone / Somebody
When the speaker doesn’t specify who.
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On m’a dit la vérité. → Someone told me the truth.
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On frappe à la porte. → Someone is knocking at the door.
4) On = They (unspecified people)
When referring to a group of people in general.
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On dit que ce restaurant est bon. → They say this restaurant is good.
3. Conjugation with On
Always conjugate verbs with il/elle (3rd person singular).
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On est (we are / one is)
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On a (we have / one has)
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On parle (we/one speaks)
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On va (we/one goes)
👉 Agreement: when on means we, adjectives and past participles often agree in plural form in writing.
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On est fatigués. → We are tired.
4. Examples in Sentences
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On ne fume pas ici. → People don’t smoke here.
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On est allés à la plage. → We went to the beach.
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On doit travailler dur. → One must work hard.
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On m’a volé mon sac. → Someone stole my bag.
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On dit que ce film est super. → They say this movie is great.
âś… Quick Recap
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On is always conjugated like il/elle.
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Meanings: one, we, someone, they (general people).
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In spoken French, on often replaces nous.
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Past participles and adjectives can take plural agreement when on = we.
🎯 Practice Exercise
Translate into French using on:
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We are going to the park.
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Someone is calling you.
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They say this city is beautiful.
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One must study to succeed.
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We are tired.
Answers:
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On va au parc.
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On t’appelle.
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On dit que cette ville est belle.
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On doit étudier pour réussir.
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On est fatigués.
Conclusion
The French subject pronoun on is versatile and extremely common. It can mean one, we, someone, they, depending on the context. Beginners should get used to hearing on as “we” in everyday French, especially in conversation.
👉 Pro tip: If you want to sound more natural in spoken French, start using on instead of nous!
TAGS: French subject pronoun on, how to use on in French, on vs nous French grammar, French pronouns beginners, everyday French conversation tips