On peut être amis ?
In French, "can we be friends" is expressed as On peut être amis ?
This phrase is used to ask someone if they would like to start a friendship. In colloquial speech, you may use the terms copains for male friends or copines for female friends instead of amis.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is built from On (one/we), peut (can), être (to be) and amis (friends).
Which one should you use?
Using copains instead of amis implies a more casual, less deep level of friendship, similar to 'buddies' or 'pals'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a more complete and standard sound, you can use Est-ce qu'on peut être amis ? For formal situations, you can use Pouvons-nous devenir amis? or the more sophisticated Pourrions-nous développer une amitié? If you use the inversion Pouvons-nous être amis ?, it is much more formal and is rarely used in casual social settings between peers.
How does it change in a sentence?
If the speaker and the person being addressed are both female, the word amis changes to the feminine form amies: On peut être amies ?
Did you know?
- In French culture, copains are often seen as 'buddies', but the word originally referred to people who shared bread together.
- The word copine can sometimes be used as a slang term for 'girlfriend' rather than just a female friend.
- The word on used for 'we' comes from the Latin word homō, meaning 'human being'.
Examples in context
- Excusez-moi, je trouve que nous avons beaucoup en commun. Pouvons-nous devenir amis?Excuse me, I find that we have a lot in common. Can we be friends?
- Est-ce qu'on peut être amis ?Is it possible for us to be friends?
Example conversation
Emma and Hugo are talking after class at school.
- EmmaTu es très sympa, Hugo.You are very nice, Hugo.
- HugoMerci Emma, c'est gentil.Thanks Emma, that's kind.
- EmmaOn peut être amis ?Can we be friends?
- HugoOui, avec plaisir !Yes, with pleasure!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries on, peut, être, CC BY-SA 4.0.
