What does on in French mean?

What is the meaning of the word on in French? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use on in French.

The word on in French means somebody, someone, somebody, someone, you, we, we, it is said that, If wishes were horses, beggars would ride., That's what I heard., We'll see about that!, it's when you fall on hard times that you find out who your friends are, Experience always wins the day, Practice makes perfect., To say the least!, You can't teach an old dog new tricks, as they say, that doesn't come along often, you've made your bed, now you must lie in it, as is well known, as everyone knows, the kind of ... they don't make anymore, as expected, How do you say….?, from what I hear, There's no accounting for taste, speak of the devil, talk of the devil, not be as stupid as you look, be into from an early age, half a loaf is better than none, Everyone needs to know their place, the least that can be said, be a born liar, serve you right, do unto others as you would have them do unto you, not know what fate awaits you, we were cut off, Now we've heard it all!, Now we've seen it all!, we know the routine, you must be joking, it seems like, it looks like, it seems like, it looks like, you learn something new every day, We're really doing well!, we are so fragile, we are so insignificant, What's the date today?, It's bad!, What's the date?, What's the date today?, What day is it?, What day is it today?, we are square, we are quits, we are even, could be better, I think we all know by now, you only live once, you only have one life, no pain, no gain, You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar, They don't make them like that anymore!, if you want something done, do it yourself, you can never be too careful, it's not that important, it's not that big a deal, we have a little time on our hands, we're not in that much of a hurry, This is the life!, this is going to take ages, we've got a way to go yet, we're not out of the woods yet, We're in cloud cuckoo land, This is cloud cuckoo land, love is not a thing to be trifled with, you wouldn't think, you can't make an omelette without breaking eggs, you won't catch me doing that again, I'm no fool, I'm no sucker, could not do more, as clear as clear can be, it's not worth anything, you cannot get anything out of him/her, you can never get anything out of him/her, there's no fooling you, you know everything, there's nothing we can do, there's nothing to be done, we couldn't have timed it better, you never know, not know where you are with, a leopard cannot change its spots, nobody is talking to you, nobody asked you, we haven't got all day, we haven't got all day, Want to bet?, Want to bet on that?, We can dream, can't we?, we can come to an arrangement, , Can we call each other tu?, You reap what you sow, You find your fun where you can, we can well imagine, we suspected as much, we guessed as much, nobody cares, we don't care, we don't give a damn, one would have suspected, you would have guessed as much, do we understand each other?, We understand each other, everybody wants it/him/her, we're freezing our nuts off, we're freezing our balls off, we're freezing cold, it's freezing cold, we're freezing, it's freezing, There's someone at the door!, we'll see about that, just you wait and see, We'll see, rumour, while we're at it, The more the merrier, Why complicate matters?, Why make things complicated?. To learn more, please see the details below.

Listen to pronunciation

Meaning of the word on

somebody, someone

pronom (quelqu'un)

(pronoun: Replaces noun--for example, "He took the cookie and ate it." "I saw you yesterday.")

On a parlé de lui ce matin.

Someone was talking about him this morning.

somebody, someone

pronom (personne à l'identité inconnue)

(pronoun: Replaces noun--for example, "He took the cookie and ate it." "I saw you yesterday.")

On vous demande à l'accueil.

Someone is asking for you at reception.

you

pronom (personne quelconque dans les proverbes)

(pronoun: Replaces noun--for example, "He took the cookie and ate it." "I saw you yesterday.")

Quand on veut tuer son chien, on dit qu'il a la rage.

You give a dog a bad name and then you hang him.

we

pronom (familier (nous)

(pronoun: Replaces noun--for example, "He took the cookie and ate it." "I saw you yesterday.")

Nous, on a rien vu.

We didn't see anything.

we

pronom (familier (tu ou vous)

(pronoun: Replaces noun--for example, "He took the cookie and ate it." "I saw you yesterday.")

Alors, on s'amuse bien ?

Aren't we having fun?

it is said that

(selon, d'après ce qui est dit)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.

(figuré (Tout est possible avec des si)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

That's what I heard.

(familier (c'est ce que dit la croyance populaire) (rumor)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

We'll see about that!

(Cela ne se passera pas comme cela)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")

it's when you fall on hard times that you find out who your friends are

(les amis répondent quand il faut)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

L'épreuve est difficile mais Pierre sait que c'est dans le besoin que l'on reconnaît ses amis ; il sait qu'il aura de l'aide.

Experience always wins the day

(les vieilles méthodes sont mieux)

Practice makes perfect.

(on apprend avec l'expérience)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

To say the least!

(c'est en dessous de la réalité)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Son livre n'a pas été apprécié, c'est le moins qu'on puisse dire.

His book wasn't appreciated, to say the least!

You can't teach an old dog new tricks

(Pas la peine d'expliquer !)

as they say

(familier (ainsi que les gens disent)

that doesn't come along often

(qui est rare)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

C'est un mari comme on en voit peu.

He's the kind of husband you don't see every day.

you've made your bed, now you must lie in it

(on a que ce qu'on mérite)

as is well known, as everyone knows

(c'est connu)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Il buvait un peu trop, comme on le sait.

the kind of ... they don't make anymore

locution adjectivale (un peu familier (exceptionnel)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Le Dr. Martin est un médecin comme on n'en fait plus !

as expected

(comme prévu)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

How do you say….?

(quel est le mot pour...)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Comment dit-on encore en anglais ?

from what I hear

locution adverbiale (familier (selon ce que l'on dit)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

There's no accounting for taste

(à chacun ses préférences)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

speak of the devil, talk of the devil

(justement)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Tiens, en parlant du loup, voilà Éric qui arrive !

Speak of the devil, there's Eric now.

not be as stupid as you look

locution verbale (ne pas être idiot) (informal)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Eh oui, c'est moi qui ai trouvé cet algorithme. Eh, c'est que je suis moins bête que j'en ai l'air ! Ne le sous-estime pas ; il est moins bête qu'il n'en a l'air.

be into from an early age

locution verbale (avoir commencé très jeune [qch]) (informal)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Advertising is in his blood.

half a loaf is better than none

(il faut se contenter de ce qu'on a)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Everyone needs to know their place

(chacun doit rester à sa place)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

La femme de ménage, vexée de ne pas avoir été invitée à la fête donnée par les directeurs, expliqua à son mari : « Je comprends bien : on ne mélange pas les torchons et les serviettes. »

The cleaner, annoyed at not having been invited to the party management was throwing, explained to her husband, "I get it; it's their way of saying 'Don't get ideas above your station.'"

the least that can be said

(c'est en dessous de la réalité)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Le moins qu'on puisse dire est que son livre n'a pas été apprécié.

be a born liar

locution verbale (mentir facilement et souvent)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

serve you right

locution verbale (mériter ce qui arrive)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

do unto others as you would have them do unto you

(être respectueux)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

La bible nous apprend qu'il ne faut pas faire aux autres ce qu'on aimerait pas qu'on nous fasse.

not know what fate awaits you

locution verbale (figuré, familier (ne pas savoir ce qui va arriver)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

we were cut off

(la liaison a été interrompue)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Now we've heard it all!

interjection (C'est à peine croyable !)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")

Now we've seen it all!

interjection (C'est à peine croyable !)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")

we know the routine

(le fonctionnement est connu)

you must be joking

(ce n'est pas possible !)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

it seems like, it looks like

(il semble)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

On dirait Alain de loin.

it seems like, it looks like

(il semble que)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

On dirait que cela n'en finit pas.

It seems like this will never end.

you learn something new every day

(j'ai appris quelque chose)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

We're really doing well!

(ironique, familier (C'est pas malin) (ironic)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

La carte s'est envolée. On est bien avancés maintenant !

we are so fragile, we are so insignificant

(nous sommes vulnérables)

What's the date today?

(familier (Quel est le jour du mois ?)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

- Aujourd'hui, on est le combien ? - Le 12 je crois.

It's bad!

interjection (La situation est mauvaise.)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")

What's the date?, What's the date today?

(familier (Quel est le jour du mois ?)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Aujourd'hui, on est quel jour ? Le 15 ou le 17 ?

What day is it?, What day is it today?

(familier (Quel jour de la semaine sommes-nous ?)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

On est quel jour ? Mercredi ou jeudi ?

we are square, we are quits, we are even

(nous ne sommes plus redevables)

could be better

(Ça va sans plus)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

– Salut, Caroline ! Ça va ? – Oh, on va fait aller.

I think we all know by now

(agacement face à une répétition)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Il t'a encore répété qu'il avait fini premier à son concours : on le saura !

you only live once, you only have one life

(Il faut profiter de la vie)

no pain, no gain

(il faut s'investir pour obtenir)

You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar

(la douceur est plus utile que la force)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

They don't make them like that anymore!

(Cette qualité-là n'existe plus !)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

if you want something done, do it yourself

(autant faire soi-même)

you can never be too careful

(plus de précautions ne nuit pas)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

it's not that important, it's not that big a deal

(la différence sera minime)

we have a little time on our hands, we're not in that much of a hurry

locution verbale (nous avons une petite marge)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

This is the life!

interjection (Apprécions le moment présent !)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")

Du soleil, du temps, un apéritif, on n'est pas bien là?

this is going to take ages

(péjoratif (c'est loin d'être fini)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

we've got a way to go yet

(familier (nous sommes loin du compte)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

we're not out of the woods yet

(familier (c'est loin d'être fini) (figurative)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

We're in cloud cuckoo land, This is cloud cuckoo land

(C'est n'importe quoi !)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

love is not a thing to be trifled with

(l'amour est une chose sérieuse)

you wouldn't think

(rien ne porte à le croire)

you can't make an omelette without breaking eggs

(il faut être prêt à des sacrifices)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

you won't catch me doing that again

(je serai plus attentif)

I'm no fool, I'm no sucker

(on ne me trompe pas facilement)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

could not do more

adverbe (très, complètement)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Je suis on ne peut plus d'accord avec vous.

I could not agree with you more.

as clear as clear can be

(très clair)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Ma mère a été on ne peut plus clair avec moi : si je n'ai pas de meilleures notes, je peux dire adieu à ma console.

it's not worth anything

(objet : ça ne se vendrait pas cher) (money)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Cet aspirateur est trop vieux, on ne peut rien en tirer. Mieux vaut le donner à recycler.

you cannot get anything out of him/her, you can never get anything out of him/her

(cette personne est obtuse) (informal: person)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Inutile de discuter avec lui, on ne peut rien en tirer.

there's no fooling you

(tu devines tout) (informal)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

C'était une surprise mais on ne peut rien te cacher.

you know everything

(tu es clairvoyant) (figurative)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Tu sauras quoi faire, on ne peut rien te cacher.

there's nothing we can do, there's nothing to be done

(c'est comme ça)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

we couldn't have timed it better

(chance : c'est idéal)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Être là le jour où cet écrivain vient dédicacer son livre, on ne pouvait pas mieux tomber.

you never know

(des fois que)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Avec le temps qu'il fait, mieux vaut prendre un parapluie, on ne sait jamais.

not know where you are with

(on ne sait pas à quoi s'en tenir)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Il paiera pour tout le monde, il ne paiera pas, on se sait pas si c'est du lard ou du cochon.

a leopard cannot change its spots

(on ne change pas malgré ses efforts) (figurative)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

nobody is talking to you, nobody asked you

(familier (garde ton avis pour toi)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

we haven't got all day

(familier (dépêchons-nous)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

we haven't got all day

(familier (faisons plus vite)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Want to bet?, Want to bet on that?

(Je suis sûr d'avoir raison.)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

We can dream, can't we?

(Pourquoi ne pas tenter ?)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

we can come to an arrangement

(trouvons un compromis)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

(demande de permission de se tutoyer)

Can we call each other tu?

(demande de permission de se tutoyer)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

You reap what you sow

(nous récoltons le fruit de nos actions)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

You find your fun where you can

(On se contente de ce qu'on a)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

we can well imagine, we suspected as much, we guessed as much

(c'est évident)

nobody cares, we don't care, we don't give a damn

(c'est sans importance)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

one would have suspected, you would have guessed as much

(c'était évident)

do we understand each other?

(je me suis fait comprendre)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

We understand each other

(tu vois ce que je veux dire)

everybody wants it/him/her

(tout le monde le veut)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

we're freezing our nuts off, we're freezing our balls off

(familier (il fait froid) (vulgar, figurative)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

On se les caille ici ! Monte le chauffage !

we're freezing cold, it's freezing cold

(familier (il fait froid)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

On se les gèle ici ! Monte le chauffage !

we're freezing, it's freezing

(familier (il fait froid)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

On se les pèle ici ! Monte le chauffage !

There's someone at the door!

([qqn] est à la porte)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

we'll see about that, just you wait and see

(Ça va barder !) (informal)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

We'll see

(familier (n'ayons pas d'a priori)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

On verra bien s'il est à l'heure cette fois.

rumour

nom masculin invariable (familier (rumeur) (UK)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Je n'y crois pas, ce sont des on-dit.

while we're at it

locution adverbiale (tant qu'à faire, autant)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

The more the merrier

(un de plus ne changera pas grand-chose) (colloquial)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Why complicate matters?, Why make things complicated?

(il est inutile de compliquer les choses)

Let's learn French

So now that you know more about the meaning of on in French, you can learn how to use them through selected examples and how to read them. And remember to learn the related words that we suggest. Our website is constantly updating with new words and new examples so you can look up the meanings of other words you don't know in French.

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