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French frequency list

No. 26 in French

on

The French word "on" means "one," "we," or "they," and is used as an indefinite subject pronoun.

In a sentence

  • On y va au cinéma maintenant.

    We are going to the cinema now.

    Here, 'on' is used as a general subject pronoun equivalent to 'we' in English, indicating an indefinite group including the speaker.

  • En France, on mange souvent du pain avec du fromage.

    In France, bread is often eaten with cheese.

    In this case, 'on' represents an unspecified general subject, equivalent to 'people' or 'one' in English, used to make general statements.

  • Quand on est fatigué, on devrait se reposer.

    When one is tired, one should rest.

    Here, 'on' is employed impersonally to signify a generic subject, similar to 'one' in formal English, conveying a general truth or advice.

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