French · People & Family
"People" in French: gens
les gens
People in French is often les gens. Say des gens and beaucoup de gens. Personnes counts individuals more neatly; gens feels collective and everyday.
Crowded square
Il y a trop de gens ici ce soir.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce gens
Say it
lay zhahn
/le ʒɑ̃/
Lay zhahn. Soft g like measure; nasal en; s of gens usually silent.
"People" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| les gens | people Default collective. | Default collective. |
| des gens | people / some people Indefinite. | Indefinite. |
| beaucoup de gens | a lot of people Quantity. | Quantity. |
| les personnes | people / persons Counting individuals. | Counting individuals. |
How to use gens in real life
- 1Crowded square
Il y a trop de gens ici ce soir.
There are too many people here tonight.
De gens after trop.
- 2Neighborhood feel
Les gens sont sympas dans ce quartier.
People are nice in this neighborhood.
Les gens.
- 3Queue talk
Des gens patientent depuis une heure.
People have been waiting for an hour.
Des gens.
Mistakes English speakers make with gens
Incorrect: Les peoples.
Correct: Les gens.
Use gens, not English people.
Incorrect: Le gens.
Correct: Les gens.
Gens is plural in this use.
Good to know
Les gens is the go-to collective. For tickets and forms, personnes is clearer (trois personnes). Gens can sound casual or sweeping depending on tone.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Leaving a packed concert venue
ChatPal
Il y a trop de gens à la sortie.
There are too many people at the exit.
You
Oui, les gens avancent trop lentement.
Yes, people are moving too slowly.
ChatPal
On attend que les gens se dispersent.
We'll wait for people to disperse.
You
Bonne idée.
Good idea.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"People" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "People" in French
How do you say people in French?
Les gens.
When do I use personnes?
When counting individuals or in formal contexts.
How do I say a lot of people?
Beaucoup de gens.
How do you pronounce gens?
Zhahn—soft g, nasal ending.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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