If you’re just starting to learn French, one of the first things you’ll need to get comfortable with is subject pronouns. These are the little words that replace nouns and tell us who is doing the action — like "I," "you," "we," or "they" in English.
But French comes with its own set of pronouns, and two areas often confuse beginners: tu vs vous and on vs nous.
Let’s break it all down in a clear, practical way so you can start using these words with confidence!
The French Subject Pronouns
Here are the basic French subject pronouns and their English equivalents:
| French | English |
|---|---|
| Je | I |
| Tu | You (informal) |
| Il | He |
| Elle | She |
| On | We / One |
| Nous | We |
| Vous | You (formal/plural) |
| Ils | They (masc.) |
| Elles | They (fem.) |
Tu vs Vous: Which "You" Should You Use?
French has two ways to say "you": tu and vous. Knowing when to use each one is important because it shows respect and understanding of social context.
Use tu when:
-Talking to a friend
-Speaking with family
-Addressing someone your own age in an informal setting
-Talking to children or pets
Use vous when:
-Talking to a stranger
-Speaking with someone older or in a position of authority
-Addressing a group of people (plural "you")
-In formal situations (at work, in a store, etc.)
Examples:
1) Tu vas bien ? (How are you? — informal)
2) Vous allez bien ? (How are you? — formal or plural)
Pro tip: When in doubt, start with vous. If the person invites you to say tu (“On peut se tutoyer ?”), then you can switch.
On vs Nous: Which "We" Is Right?
Use on in everyday spoken French. It’s the most common way to say "we".
Use nous in writing or when you want to sound more formal.
Examples:
1. On va au cinéma ce soir. (We’re going to the cinema tonight.)
2. Nous allons au cinéma ce soir. (Same meaning, more formal or written.)
Important note: When you use on, you must conjugate the verb in the il/elle form.
Example:
On parle français ici. (We speak French here.)
Real-Life Examples
Let’s see how these pronouns work in everyday conversation.
Scenario: You meet a new coworker
Bonjour, vous êtes nouveau ici ? (Hello, are you new here?)
Oui, je suis stagiaire. Tu travailles dans quel service ? (Yes, I’m an intern. What department do you work in?)
Scenario: You and your friend make plans
On mange au resto ce soir ? (Want to eat at a restaurant tonight?)
Oui, bonne idée ! On invite aussi Paul ? (Yes, good idea! Should we invite Paul too?)
Quick Recap
-Use tu with friends, family, kids, and people you know well.
-Use vous with strangers, in formal settings, or when addressing more than one person.
-Use on to say "we" in everyday speech.
-Use nous in writing or when you want to be more formal.
-The more you practice, the more natural it becomes!
Ready to Go Deeper?
Want to sound more natural when speaking French? My beginner French course covers these topics and more — with real-life examples, audio practice, and step-by-step explanations.
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