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on
/ɔ̃/
one (indefinite pronoun)
On dit que Paris est magnifique.
They say Paris is magnificent.
formal
An indefinite pronoun used to refer to people in general or to oneself in a general sense.
On doit respecter les règles.
One must respect the rules.
On va au cinéma ce soir ?
Are we going to the cinema tonight?
In informal speech, 'on' is often used instead of 'nous' (we).
informal
We (colloquial replacement for 'nous').
On y va !
Let's go!
Common in spoken French but considered incorrect in formal writing.
Collocations
on dit quethey say thaton vawe're going
Pro Tip
Remember the conjugation
The verb following 'on' is always in the third person singular form, even though 'on' often means 'we'. For example: 'On va' (We go) uses the verb 'va' (he/she/it goes).
Gold Rule
Formal vs. Informal
In formal writing or speech, prefer 'nous' over 'on'. 'On' is primarily used in informal contexts.
Word Origin
From Old French 'om' (man, person), derived from Latin 'homo' (man, human being). The 'n' in 'on' is a result of liaison in pronunciation.
Usage Notes
'On' is always followed by a verb conjugated in the third person singular. It is one of the most frequently used pronouns in spoken French.
Dictionnaire Français-Anglais