L'on (en. One)

/l'ɔ̃/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench

pronoun

Pronoun used to replace 'we' or 'one' in a more formal register.

One never knows what the future holds for us.

L'on ne sait jamais ce que l'avenir nous réserve.

Used to express a generality or universal truth.

One says that patience is a virtue.

L'on dit que la patience est une vertu.

Serving as the agent in a passive sentence or to speak impersonally.

One was recommended to read this book.

L'on vous a recommandé de lire ce livre.

Derived from the contraction of 'le' and 'on.'

One knows

This means that everyone is aware or that knowledge is shared.

L'on sait

One is accustomed to

Indicates that it is a common or habitual practice.

L'on a l'habitude

One wonders

Expresses the idea that curiosity exists around a topic.

L'on se demande

One cannot

Used to indicate a universal or widely recognized impossibility.

L'on ne peut pas

Indefinite pronoun designating a group of people in a general way.

anyone

Expression indicating a person of choice, often used to express indifference.

n'importe qui

each

Refers to each individual taken separately, considered in a group.

chacun

More casual use of 'on' in conversation.

One is going out tonight!

L'on va sortir ce soir !

Ironic use of 'l'on' to mock generality.

Ah, one always says that, but it's not true.

Ah, l'on dit toujours ça, mais ce n'est pas vrai.