selon
/sə.lɔ̃/
The English phrase "according to" is translated into French using selon. Wiktionary also lists d'après.
Meaning: based on statement (prep)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| selon | /sə.lɔ̃/ |
| d'après | /d‿a.pʁɛ/ |
Both selon and d'après are used to attribute a statement or information to a specific source, such as a person, a book, a study or a news report.
Which one should you use?
While selon and d'après are largely interchangeable, selon is often perceived as slightly more formal or literary than d'après.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both selon and d'après are prepositions. They are followed directly by a noun or a pronoun without the need for an additional preposition such as de.
How do you pronounce it?
The word selon is pronounced /sə.lɔ̃/ and has 2 syllables.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not say selon de by attempting to translate "according to" literally. selon must be used alone.
Did you know?
- The term d'après literally translates to 'after', reflecting a logic where information is derived from something that came before it.
- While selon means 'according to', it also functions as 'depending on' in phrases like selon la météo meaning 'depending on the weather'.
- The word selon has historically been linked to the concept of 'length' or 'extent', stemming from a possible combination of Latin words for 'under' and 'long'.
Examples in context
- Selon son opinion, oui.According to his opinion, yes.This sentence is useful for expressing an opinion using selon.Tatoeba #450852 by sacredceltic, translation #453900 by saasmath
- Il agit selon mon conseil.He acts according to my advice.This sentence shows how to use selon when following advice.Tatoeba #453503 by sacredceltic, translation #453325 by saasmath
- Selon lui, elle est honnête.According to him, she is honest.This sentence demonstrates attributing a statement to a person using selon.Tatoeba #4765744 by sacredceltic, translation #285240 by CK
- Selon le rapport officiel, le pays connaît une croissance économique soutenue.According to the official report, the country is experiencing sustained economic growth.
- Conformément à la législation en vigueur, cette pratique est interdite.According to the current legislation, this practice is prohibited.
- D'après les chiffres du ministère de la santé, la consommation de tabac a diminué cette année.According to the numbers from the Ministry of Health, tobacco consumption has decreased this year.
- D'après ce que j'ai entendu, il va pleuvoir demain.According to what I heard, it's going to rain tomorrow.
- Selon qu'il pleuve ou non, nous irons au parc.According to whether it rains or not, we will go to the park.
- 160 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Nathan are discussing the weather forecast.
- ManonSelon la météo, il va pleuvoir demain.According to the weather forecast, it's going to rain tomorrow.
- NathanAh bon ? Je pensais qu'il ferait beau.Really? I thought it would be nice.
- ManonC'est ce qui est écrit selon le site.That is what is written according to the site.
- NathanD'accord, je vais prendre mon parapluie.Okay, I will take my umbrella.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “according to” translations and entries selon, d'après, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries selon, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
