Question about how "on entend" is translated in one of the examples

Bill P.A2Kwiziq community member

Question about how "on entend" is translated in one of the examples

The translation of "Et l'on entend la même chanson, oh !" is "And you hear the same song, oh!". Why is "on" translated as "you"? I thought the translation of "on" is "one" or "we". Thanks!

Asked 2 years ago
CécileNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hi Bill.

Rarely would the pronoun 'on'  be translated by the posh 'one' in English.

On is a very common or garden pronoun in French and its equivalent in this general statement is the universal you.

Take a look at this lesson for more examples -

On can mean either we/one/people (French Subject Pronouns)

Bonne Continuation !

Question about how "on entend" is translated in one of the examples

The translation of "Et l'on entend la même chanson, oh !" is "And you hear the same song, oh!". Why is "on" translated as "you"? I thought the translation of "on" is "one" or "we". Thanks!

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Getting that for you now...