French · Greetings & Essentials
"We" in French: nous
nous
Note: spoken: on
We in French is nous in writing and careful speech: nous allons. In everyday talk, on often replaces nous: on va au cinéma. Stressed form is nous too: avec nous.
Team plan
Nous partons demain matin à huit heures.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce nous
Say it
noo
/nu/
Nous is noo. On is nasal ohn. Both are common; on sounds more casual.
"We" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| nous | we / us Standard subject and object. | Standard subject and object. |
| on | we (spoken) Casual replacement for nous. | Casual replacement for nous. |
| nous sommes | we are With être. | With être. |
| avec nous | with us After a preposition. | After a preposition. |
How to use nous in real life
- 1Team plan
Nous partons demain matin à huit heures.
We're leaving tomorrow morning at eight.
Nous partons.
- 2Classroom
Nous avons fini l'exercice ensemble.
We finished the exercise together.
Nous avons.
- 3Invitation
Venez avec nous au marché.
Come with us to the market.
Avec nous.
Mistakes English speakers make with nous
Incorrect: Nous va au ciné. (mixing nous + on verb)
Correct: Nous allons au ciné. / On va au ciné.
Match pronoun and verb: nous allons or on va.
Incorrect: We sommes prêts.
Correct: Nous sommes prêts.
Use nous, not English we.
Good to know
Friends almost always say on va… ChatPal still teaches nous because forms and polite speech need it. Mixing nous with on verbs is a classic learner slip.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Planning an outing
ChatPal
Nous allons où cet après-midi ?
Where are we going this afternoon?
You
Nous allons au parc, non ?
We're going to the park, right?
ChatPal
D'accord, j'apporte l'eau.
Okay, I'll bring the water.
You
Moi j'apporte les fruits.
I'll bring the fruit.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"We" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "We" in French
How do you say we in French?
Nous; spoken French often uses on.
Nous or on?
Nous is standard; on is everyday speech for we.
How do you say we are?
Nous sommes (or on est).
How do you pronounce nous?
noo.
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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