What does "donc" mean in French?

"Donc" is a versatile and frequently used word in French that English speakers often find challenging to master. Understanding its meaning and various uses can significantly improve your French language skills.

Definition and Basic Usage

"Donc" primarily translates to "therefore" or "so" in English. It's used to express a logical conclusion or consequence based on previous information.

Common Uses of "Donc"

1. Indicating a Conclusion

"Donc" is often used to introduce a logical conclusion:

• Il pleut, donc je prends mon parapluie. (It's raining, so I'm taking my umbrella.)
• Tu as bien étudié, donc tu réussiras l'examen. (You studied well, so you'll pass the exam.)
• Elle est malade, donc elle ne viendra pas ce soir. (She's sick, so she won't come tonight.)
• Nous sommes en retard, donc nous devons nous dépêcher. (We're late, so we have to hurry.)

2. Summarizing or Recapping

"Donc" can be used to summarize or recap a situation:

• Donc, pour résumer, nous partons demain matin. (So, to summarize, we're leaving tomorrow morning.)
• Donc, si j'ai bien compris, vous refusez notre offre? (So, if I understood correctly, you're refusing our offer?)
• Donc, en conclusion, le projet est annulé. (So, in conclusion, the project is cancelled.)
• Donc, voilà où nous en sommes. (So, that's where we stand.)

3. Expressing Impatience or Urging Action

"Donc" can convey a sense of impatience or urge someone to act:

• Dépêche-toi, donc! (Hurry up, then!)
• Allez, donc! (Come on, then!)
• Finis-le, donc! (Just finish it, then!)
• Décide-toi, donc! (Make up your mind, then!)

4. In Questions to Seek Clarification

"Donc" can be used in questions to seek clarification or confirmation:

• Qu'est-ce que tu vas faire, donc? (So, what are you going to do?)
• C'était comment, donc? (So, how was it?)
• Où allons-nous, donc? (So, where are we going?)
• Quand part-il, donc? (So, when is he leaving?)

Positioning in Sentences

"Donc" is quite flexible in terms of its position within a sentence:

1. At the beginning: Donc, nous sommes d'accord. (So, we agree.)
2. In the middle: Nous sommes donc d'accord. (We therefore agree.)
3. At the end: Nous sommes d'accord, donc. (We agree, then.)

Expressions with "Donc"

Several common French expressions include "donc":

• Et donc? (So what? / And then?)
• C'est donc ça! (So that's it!)
• Que faire, donc? (What to do, then?)
• Donc voilà. (So there you have it.)

Tips for Using "Donc"

1. Don't overuse it. While "donc" is common in French, using it too frequently can make your speech sound repetitive.
2. Pay attention to context. The meaning of "donc" can vary slightly depending on the situation.
3. Practice with native materials. Listening to French podcasts or watching French movies can help you understand how "donc" is used naturally.

Understanding and correctly using "donc" will make your French sound more natural and sophisticated. Practice incorporating it into your conversations and writing to enhance your French language skills.