Meaning of nous in French

Nous in French primarily means “we” — the subject pronoun for the first-person plural.

Quick points and examples:

  • Subject (we):
    Nous allons au cinéma.We are going to the cinema.
  • Object (us): nous is also used as the direct/indirect object pronoun.
    Il nous voit.He sees us.
    Donne-nous le livre.Give us the book.
  • Reflexive (ourselves): used in reflexive verbs:
    Nous nous lavons.We wash ourselves.
  • Prepositions: avec nous = with us, chez nous = at our place / at home.
  • Pronunciation: [nu] (like “noo”).

Grammar tip: in spoken French, people often use on (literally “one”) to mean “we” informally: On y vaNous y allons.

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