French Phrase
On doit s'habiller comment ?
Meaning
The sentence asks for guidance on the appropriate way to dress for a specific situation. It can be translated as “How should we dress?” or “What are we supposed to wear?”. The tone is informal and often used among friends or classmates.
When to use
Use this phrase when you need clarification about dress code expectations—e.g., before a party, a job interview, a school event, or when traveling to a new region. It works best in casual conversation; in formal settings you might prefer “Comment devons‑nous nous habiller ?”.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Ondoits'habillercomment?
On (impersonal pronoun)
"On" is used like "we" or "one" in informal French and triggers third‑person singular verb agreement.
Devoir (modal verb)
"Doit" is the third‑person singular present of devoir, meaning "must" or "have to".
Reflexive verb s'habiller
"S'habiller" is a reflexive verb; the reflexive pronoun (se) agrees with the subject (here "on").
Comment (adverb)
"Comment" asks for the manner or way something is done, equivalent to "how" in English.
Question formation
In spoken French, the intonation rises at the end; written form can keep the normal word order with a question mark.
🗨In Conversation
On doit s'habiller comment pour la soirée de l’entreprise ?
How should we dress for the company party?
C’est plutôt cocktail ; une robe chic ou un costume sombre, c’est l’idéal.
It's a cocktail dress code; a nice dress or a dark suit is ideal.
✕Common Mistakes
Nous doit s'habiller comment ?
If you refer to a group including yourself, you can also use "devons" (first‑person plural) for a more formal tone.
On doit habiller comment ?
Never drop the reflexive pronoun; "habiller" alone means "to dress someone else".
Comment on doit s'habiller ?
Placing "comment" at the beginning ("Comment on doit s'habiller ?") is grammatically correct but sounds overly formal for everyday speech.
↔Alternatives
Comment devons‑nous nous habiller ?
How must we dress?
Quel est le dress code ?
What is the dress code?
Qu’est‑ce qu’on porte ?
What are we wearing?
Cultural Tip
In France, dress codes can be subtle. For a "cocktail" event, men usually wear a dark suit with a tie, while women opt for a knee‑length dress or a stylish blouse and skirt. If the invitation says "décontracté" (casual), smart‑casual is safe: dark jeans, a neat shirt, and clean shoes. Avoid overly bright colors or sportswear unless the event is explicitly "sportif". Also, French people often appreciate a well‑fitted outfit; tailoring matters more than brand names.