l'un ou l'autre
In French, "either one" is translated as l'un ou l'autre.
The phrase is used to refer to one of two people or things when it does not matter which is chosen.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of l'un (the one), ou (or) and l'autre (the other).
Which one should you use?
While l'un ou l'autre refers to one of the two, les deux is used if you want to refer to both. Additionally, the variation l'un comme l'autre is used to emphasize that both options are equally valid or have the same effect.
How does it change in a sentence?
If the two things being referred to are feminine, the phrase changes to l'une ou l'autre.
Did you know?
- If a speaker refers to a group containing at least one man and one woman, they must use the masculine l'un ou l'autre even if the choice is between two women and one man.
- A single accent mark changes the meaning of ou entirely. Adding a grave accent to create où turns the word 'or' into 'where'.
- While l'un ou l'autre is the standard translation, French speakers often use the phrase peu importe lequel to express the sentiment that it truly does not matter which one is chosen.
Examples in context
- Choisis l'un ou l'autre.Choose either one or the other.This sentence is useful for practicing how to use l'un ou l'autre when giving a command.Tatoeba #1398745 by Delapouite, translation #72931 by CK
- Vous pouvez choisir l'un ou l'autre.You can choose either one.
- On peut aller au cinéma ou au parc, peu importe.We can go to the cinema or the park, either one is fine.
- Tu peux prendre l'un ou l'autre.You can take either one.
Example conversation
Chloé and Lucas are choosing a movie to watch.
- ChloéOn regarde ce film ou celui-là ?Should we watch this movie or that one?
- LucasL'un ou l'autre me va.Either one is fine with me.
- ChloéAlors, je choisis au hasard.Well, I'll choose at random.
- LucasD'accord, Chloé, je te fais confiance.Okay, Chloé, I trust you.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
