donc
/dɔ̃k/
donc is the French word for so or therefore.
donc is a conjunction used to introduce a logical conclusion or a result. In spoken French, it can also serve an emphatic function, much like adding.
Did you know?
- The word donc is actually a hybrid of two different Latin words, 'dum' meaning 'while' and 'tunc' meaning 'then'.
- In spoken French, donc is often used as a filler word to express impatience or insistence, such as in the phrase Allez donc ! which means 'Come on already!'
- While 'donc' is the standard logical link, it is often replaced in very informal speech by 'du coup', a phrase that has become ubiquitous among younger generations to mean the exact same thing.
Examples in context
- Je suis allé faire les courses, j'ai acheté des légumes, des fruits… donc voilà.I went grocery shopping, bought some vegetables, fruits… so yeah.
- Il pleut, donc je reste à la maison.It is raining, so I am staying at home.
- Elle est malade, donc elle ne travaille pas.She is sick, therefore she is not working.
- Tu as fini, donc nous pouvons partir.You have finished, so we can leave.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing their plans for the evening.
- GabrielLe film est très long, donc nous allons être en retard.The movie is very long, so we are going to be late.
- LéaCe n'est pas grave, Gabriel.It is not a problem, Gabriel.
- GabrielMais nous devons donc trouver un autre plan.But we must therefore find another plan.
- LéaD'accord, allons manger quelque chose à la place.Okay, let's go eat something instead.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry donc, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries donc, CC BY-SA 4.0.
