nous
First-person Plural Nous
Nous is the standard French pronoun for 'we'. While essential for writing and formal speech, it is often replaced by on in casual conversation.
How It Works
In French, nous serves as the subject of a sentence to mean 'we'. Understanding its usage requires looking at several key areas:
1. Conjugation Patterns
When nous is the subject, the verb must take the first-person plural form. In the present tense, this almost always ends in -ons:
- Nous parlons (We speak)
- Nous finissons (We finish)
- Nous vendons (We sell)
The only exception in the present tense is the verb être, which becomes nous sommes.
2. Spelling Adjustments
To maintain the correct pronunciation, some verbs require minor spelling changes before the -ons ending:
- -ger verbs: Add an 'e' (e.g., nous mangeons).
- -cer verbs: Use a cedilla 'ç' (e.g., nous avançons).
3. Pronunciation and Liaison
The final 's' in nous is usually silent. However, when the following verb starts with a vowel or a silent 'h', a liaison occurs. The 's' is pronounced like a [z] sound (e.g., nous avons sounds like [noo-z-ah-vohn]).
4. Register: Nous vs. On
In modern French, there is a split between written and spoken language. Nous is the standard for writing and formal situations. In everyday informal conversation, native speakers use on very frequently to mean 'we'.
Even when on is used as the subject, nous remains essential because:
- Object and Stressed Pronouns: On cannot be used for 'us' or 'it's us'. You must use nous (e.g., Il nous voit - He sees us) or nous as a stressed pronoun (e.g., C'est nous - It's us).
- Possessives: You still use notre or nos for 'our' (e.g., On mange notre pain).
- Agreement: When on means 'we', following adjectives must still be plural (e.g., On est contents).
Examples (5)
- Nous habitons à Paris.
We live in Paris.
Word by Word: We live at Paris.
A standard sentence using 'nous' with a regular -er verb ending in -ons.
- Nous mangeons une pizza ensemble.
We are eating a pizza together.
Word by Word: We eat a pizza together.
Note the extra 'e' in 'mangeons' to keep the 'g' sound soft.
- Nous sommes très contents de vous voir.
We are very happy to see you.
Word by Word: We are very happy of you to see.
This shows the irregular conjugation of the verb 'être' (to be) with 'nous'.
- Nous avons deux chats.
We have two cats.
Word by Word: We have two cats.
In 'nous avons', the 's' is pronounced as a [z] because 'avons' starts with a vowel (liaison).
- Nous nous levons à sept heures.
We get up at seven o'clock.
Word by Word: We ourselves raise at seven hours.
In reflexive verbs, 'nous' is used twice: once as the subject and once as the reflexive pronoun.
Common Mistakes
Using 'nous' with the wrong verb ending.
Nous va au cinéma.Nous allons au cinéma.Learners often confuse 'nous' with 'on'. 'Nous' must always take the plural verb form (allons), not the singular (va).
Forgetting the reflexive pronoun 'nous'.
Nous amusons à la fête.Nous nous amusons à la fête.When using reflexive verbs like 's'amuser', you must repeat 'nous' (Subject + Reflexive Pronoun).
Using 'nous' in very casual speech.
Different MeaningNous voulons des bonbons !On veut des bonbons !'Nous voulons des bonbons !' is correct. Said to a friend, though, 'nous' can sound overly formal or stiff, and 'on veut' is the natural choice.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand 'nous', a learner should be familiar with the basic concept of subject pronouns (like 'je') and how they function within the standard French sentence structure. Additionally, since 'nous' ends in a silent 's' that is often pronounced through liaison, understanding that phonetic rule is helpful for correct pronunciation.
- jeFirst-person Singular Je
Understanding the concept of subject pronouns in French, starting with the first-person singular, provides the necessary framework for learning the first-person plural.
Level 1 - Linking a silent consonant to the next vowel
The 's' in 'nous' is often pronounced as a /z/ sound when followed by a vowel, making liaison a key phonetic component of this pronoun.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- onImpersonal and Informal on
'On' is the informal equivalent of 'nous' used in 99% of spoken French.
Level 1 - me / te / se / nous / vous / seReflexive Pronoun Forms
Explains the use of 'nous' as a reflexive pronoun (e.g., 'nous nous lavons').
Level 2 - -ger (g → ge)Spelling Change: Silent E Before a or O
Explains the spelling adjustment needed for verbs like 'manger' when conjugated with 'nous'.
Level 2 - être (présent)Irregular Verb Etre (To Be)
The only verb that does not end in -ons when used with 'nous' in the present tense.
Level 1
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
- Giving commandsLevel 1
- Regular -ir verb conjugationLevel 1
- craindre / peindre / joindreThe Craindre/peindre/joindre Verb GroupLevel 1
- notre / nosFirst-person Plural Possessive Notre, NosLevel 1
- -cer (c → ç)Spelling Change: C-cedilla Before a or OLevel 2
- Imperfect tense formationLevel 2
- Reciprocal meaning with reflexive verbsLevel 2
- Gerund with en + present participleLevel 3
And 1 more in the full list.
Words in This Pattern
Practice nous in Bubblegum
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