Possessive phrases containing, 'on' can use either "son/sa/ses" if on is used in a general sense ('one', 'people'), or "notre/nos" when on means 'we':
On est son propre maître.
One is one's own master
On aime toujours sa famille.
One always loves one's family. / People always love their family.
On mange notre repas.
We are eating our meal.
On porte nos sacs
We are carrying our bags.
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Examples and resources
Micro kwiz: Use notre/nos when on means we, but son/sa/ses when it means people (possessive adjectives)
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Chris
Kwiziq community member
6/11/17
I have only ever encountered "on se....". You are, of course, free to say "Nous nous parlon...." but you already knew that, I am sure.
-- Chris (not a native speaker).
-- Chris (not a native speaker).
Jim
Kwiziq community member
7/11/17
Hi Dzoan,
"On" can only take the reflexive pronoun "se".
"Nous" only takes the reflexive pronoun "nous".
It is incorrect to mix these pronouns in the way you ask -- "On nous parle tous les jours" is not correct -- it has to be "On se parle ------"
Regards,
Alan (Non native speaker)
"On" can only take the reflexive pronoun "se".
"Nous" only takes the reflexive pronoun "nous".
It is incorrect to mix these pronouns in the way you ask -- "On nous parle tous les jours" is not correct -- it has to be "On se parle ------"
Regards,
Alan (Non native speaker)
Andrew
Kwiziq community member
7 February 2017
1 reply
Why use notre and not nos
I can't see how to decide which to use when used in this context
Aurélie
Kwiziq language super star
8/02/17
Bonjour Andrew !
Unfortunately here I cannot see the example you're referring to, but here's the rule for using "notre" vs "nos" :
- if the noun following is plural, "our dogS", then you use "nos" -> "nos chiens"
- if the noun following is singular, "our cat", then you use "notre" -> "notre chat"
Here's a link to the related lesson:
https://progress.lawlessfrench.com/my-languages/french/view/3113
I hope that's helpful!
À bientôt !
Unfortunately here I cannot see the example you're referring to, but here's the rule for using "notre" vs "nos" :
- if the noun following is plural, "our dogS", then you use "nos" -> "nos chiens"
- if the noun following is singular, "our cat", then you use "notre" -> "notre chat"
Here's a link to the related lesson:
https://progress.lawlessfrench.com/my-languages/french/view/3113
I hope that's helpful!
À bientôt !
Cathy
Kwiziq community member
21 February 2018
1 reply
How to determine if it's a general statement
Chris
Kwiziq community member
21 February 2018
21/02/18
Hi Cathy,
if substituting "one" for "on" makes more sense than "we", it is a general statement. For example:
On prend nos vacances l'été. -- We take our vacation in summer (we = us in particular).
On prend ses vacances l'été. -- One takes one's vacation in summer (we = in general).
I hope that helps, -- Chris (not a native speaker).