on mange
The English phrase "we eat" can be translated into French as on mange.
on mange is used to state that a group of people is eating or to suggest that it is time to eat. For example, as an exclamation On mange !, it can mean "Let's eat!" to announce that a meal is ready.
Which one should you use?
on mange is the standard way to say "we eat" in everyday conversation, whereas nous mangeons is the more formal version used in writing or official speech.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, Canada, nous dînons may be used to mean "we eat dinner".
How does it change in a sentence?
In informal, spoken French, the pronoun on is used with the third-person singular verb form to mean "we".
Did you know?
- The pronoun on actually shares the same ancestor as the word homme ('man'). While homme comes from the Latin accusative for 'human being', on comes from the nominative form.
- In a formal setting, saying on mange might be seen as too casual. A host might instead use the verb passer à table ('to move to the table') to signal that it is time for the group to eat.
- The pronoun on in on mange is so versatile that it can mean 'we eat' or 'one eats' depending on the context.
Examples in context
- On mange des œufs.We eat eggs.This sentence shows the use of on mange with a food item.Tatoeba #7998390 by Micsmithel, translation #5359932 by CarpeLanam
- On mange pour vivre.We eat so we can live.This sentence shows on mange in a philosophical context.Tatoeba #337034 by sysko, translation #22860 by Shadd
- À Pâques, on mange des lapins en chocolat.At Easter we eat chocolate rabbits.This sentence shows how on mange is used to describe a specific holiday tradition.Tatoeba #1521592 by martin9, translation #1522155 by LittleBoy
- Nous mangeons ensemble tous les soirs.We eat together every evening.
- Nous mangeons au restaurant.We eat at the restaurant.
- Nous mangeons équilibré.We eat balanced meals.
- On mange des croissants le matin.We eat croissants in the morning.
- On mange ensemble chez moi.We eat together at my place.
- On mange un repas léger ce soir.We are eating a light meal tonight.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Lucas are at home deciding when to have dinner.
- ChloéOn mange quand ?When are we eating?
- LucasOn mange dans dix minutes.We are eating in ten minutes.
- ChloéD'accord, je prépare la table.Okay, I'll set the table.
- LucasMerci, Chloé.Thanks, Chloé.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries on, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
