voyons
/vwa.jɔ̃/
voyons is the French way to say "let's see".
voyons is an interjection used to express surprise, disbelief or exasperation. It can also function similarly to the English phrase "let's see" or "let's look" when a person is thinking or searching for information.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is the first-person plural imperative form of the verb voir (to see), and it literally means "let us see".
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables and is pronounced /vwa.jɔ̃/.
Did you know?
- When used to express exasperation, voyons often accompanies a specific gesture where the speaker opens their palm and slightly raises their hand, as if asking the other person to be reasonable.
- While it literally means 'let us see', using voyons to express disbelief can sometimes sound condescending, as if you are telling the listener 'come on, really?'
- The concept of 'seeing' extends into the French idiom voir venir, which describes a person's ability to anticipate how a situation will develop. It captures a specific cultural approach to caution and observation through the lens of sight.
Examples in context
- Voyons donc, comment avez-vous pu faire une telle erreur?Come on, how could you possibly make such a mistake?
- Bah voyons, je ne peux pas croire que tu l'aies fait!Come on, I can't believe you did that!
- Allez, voyons, tu peux faire mieux que ça!Come on, let's see, you can do better than that!
- Ben voyons, tu ne savais pas ça?Oh come on, you didn't know that?
- Voyons, tu ne peux pas être sérieux!Come on, you can't be serious!
- Voyons donc, il suffisait de tourner à droite.Let's see, you just needed to turn right.
- Mais voyons, ce n'est pas si compliqué!Come on, it's not that complicated!
- Voyons, ce n'est pas si difficile.Come on, it is not that difficult.
- Voyons voir ce qu'il y a dans la boîte.Let's see what is in the box.
- Voyons, tu es en retard encore une fois !Come on, you are late once again!
Example conversation
Nathan and Léa are looking for a lost key in the living room.
- NathanVoyons, où est la clé ?Come on, where is the key?
- LéaRegarde sur la table, Nathan.Look on the table, Nathan.
- NathanVoyons voir si elle est là.Let's see if it is there.
- LéaNon, elle n'y est pas.No, it is not there.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry voyons, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
