on ne sait jamais
/ɔ̃ n(ə) sɛ ʒa.mɛ/
The English phrase "you never know" can be translated into French as on ne sait jamais. If unsure, use on ne sait jamais. Wiktionary also lists sait-on jamais.
Meaning: phrase used to speculate about a slim chance (phrase)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| on ne sait jamais | /ɔ̃ n(ə) sɛ ʒa.mɛ/ |
| sait-on jamais | /sɛ.t‿ɔ̃ ʒa.mɛ/ |
This phrase is used to speculate about a slim chance. It is often used as an exclamation to justify a precaution or a sudden change in plan.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, on ne sait jamais means "one does not know ever".
Which one should you use?
Unlike the English 'you', the French phrase uses the impersonal pronoun on (one) rather than tu or vous.
How does it change in a sentence?
The inverted form sait-on jamais is a more formal or literary way to express the same idea.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɔ̃ n(ə) sɛ ʒa.mɛ/
Did you know?
- While 'you never know' in English is often a casual remark, French speakers use on ne sait jamais to justify extreme levels of precaution, such as preparing for a storm during a heatwave.
- The pronoun on in on ne sait jamais originally comes from the Latin word for 'human being'. It evolved from hom, a relative of the modern French word for man homme.
- The ne in on ne sait jamais is a remnant of the classical French negation. In casual spoken French, many native speakers actually omit the ne entirely and simply say on sait jamais.
Examples in context
- On ne sait jamais !You never know!This sentence shows how to use on ne sait jamais as an exclamation.Tatoeba #5990582 by christian63, translation #9028425 by mccarras
- On ne sait jamais avec Tom.You never know with Tom.This sentence demonstrates using on ne sait jamais to describe someone's unpredictability.Tatoeba #6860681 by Micsmithel, translation #3725126 by CM
- On ne sait jamais ce que le futur apportera.You never know what the future will bring.This sentence shows how to use on ne sait jamais to discuss the uncertainty of the future.Tatoeba #6939966 by Aiji, translation #4134994 by CK
- On ne sait jamais, cela pourrait être une opportunité incroyable.You never know, it could be an amazing opportunity.
- Qui sait de quoi l'avenir sera fait ?Who knows what the future holds?
- Va savoir ce qui se passera demain.You never know what will happen tomorrow.
- Avec lui, on ne peut jamais savoir ce qu'il pense.You never know what he's thinking.
- Qui vivra verra, on sait jamais de quoi demain sera fait.We'll see, we never know what tomorrow will bring.
- 32 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Chloé are discussing whether to bring an umbrella.
- NathanIl va faire beau aujourd'hui.It's going to be beautiful today.
- ChloéPrends ton parapluie, on ne sait jamais.Take your umbrella, you never know.
- NathanTu as raison, le ciel change vite.You are right, the sky changes quickly.
- ChloéC'est plus prudent, Nathan.It's safer, Nathan.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “you never know” translations and entries on ne sait jamais, sait-on jamais, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries jamais, ne, on, on ne sait jamais, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
