French pronouns "on" vs "nous"

"On" and "nous" are both French pronouns that can mean "we," but they're used differently and have subtle distinctions. Let's explore when to use each and how they affect sentence structure.

Usage of "On"

"On" is an indefinite pronoun that's becoming increasingly common in spoken French. It's more casual and can represent:

• We
• One
• People (in general)
• Someone

Examples:

• On va au cinéma ce soir. (We're going to the movies tonight.)
• En France, on mange du fromage. (In France, people eat cheese.)

Usage of "Nous"

"Nous" is the traditional first-person plural pronoun, meaning "we." It's more formal and precise than "on."

Examples:

• Nous allons à la plage demain. (We are going to the beach tomorrow.)
• Nous sommes étudiants. (We are students.)

Verb Conjugation

When using "on," the verb is conjugated in the third-person singular form:

• On mange (We eat / One eats)
• On va (We go / One goes)

With "nous," use the first-person plural conjugation:

• Nous mangeons (We eat)
• Nous allons (We go)

When to Choose "On" or "Nous"

• Use "on" in casual conversations or when referring to people in general.
• Choose "nous" in formal settings, writing, or when you want to be specific about who "we" are.

Remember, while "on" is increasingly popular in spoken French, "nous" remains standard in written French, especially in formal contexts.