tu veux qu'on soit amis ?
The English phrase "do you want to be friends?" is translated into French as tu veux qu'on soit amis ?
This phrase is a question used to ask someone if they would like to start a friendship with you.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "you want that we be friends?"
Which one should you use?
The use of on in this phrase refers to "we" in a colloquial sense, rather than using the more formal nous.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word amis is used if the group being referred to is all male or a mix of males and females. However, if the speaker and the person being spoken to are both female, you should use the form tu veux qu'on soit amies ?
Did you know?
- In France, asking tu veux qu'on soit amis ? is much less common among adults than in English. French speakers typically let friendships develop naturally through shared activities rather than proposing them explicitly.
- Using tu instead of vous in this phrase is a social gamble called 'tutoiement'. If you use tu too early with a stranger, it can be perceived as aggressive or overly familiar.
- The gender rule for amis means that even if a group has ninety-nine women and one man, the masculine amis must be used for the whole group.
Examples in context
- Est-ce que vous voulez être amis ?Do you want to be friends?
- Seriez-vous intéressé(e) à devenir ami(e) avec moi ?Would you be interested in becoming friends with me?
- Pensez-vous que nous pourrions devenir amis ?Do you think we could become friends?
- Tu veux être mon ami ?Do you want to be my friend?
- On pourrait être amis ?Could we be friends?
- Ça te dirait d'être mon pote ?Would you like to be my buddy?
- On se voit souvent, tu veux qu'on soit amis ?We see each other often, do you want to be friends?
- Dis-moi, tu veux qu'on soit amis ?Tell me, do you want to be friends?
Example conversation
Hugo and Manon are talking after a school project.
- HugoOn a bien travaillé ensemble, tu veux qu'on soit amis ?We worked well together, do you want to be friends?
- ManonOui, avec plaisir !Yes, with pleasure!
- HugoSuper, on se voit demain ?Great, shall we see each other tomorrow?
- ManonD'accord, à demain Hugo.Okay, see you tomorrow Hugo.
