French Phrase
Sur cette diapo, on voit...
Meaning
Literally 'On this slide, we see…'. It introduces what is displayed on a PowerPoint or similar visual aid, preparing the listener for an explanation of the content.
When to use
Use this phrase at the beginning of a slide description during a presentation, lecture, or meeting when you want to draw attention to a specific visual element.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Surcettediapo,onvoit...
Sur (preposition)
Used to indicate location on a surface; here it means 'on' as in 'on this slide'.
cette (demonstrative adjective)
Points to a feminine singular noun that is close to the speaker; agrees with 'diapo' (feminine).
diapo (noun, informal)
Short for 'diapositive', a slide in a presentation; informal but common in spoken French.
on (indefinite pronoun)
Means 'we', 'one', or 'people in general'; often used in presentations to refer to the audience or speaker collectively.
voit (verb voir, 3rd pers. sing. present)
Conjugated in the present indicative; matches the singular subject 'on'.
🗨In Conversation
Sur cette diapo, on voit les résultats du deuxième trimestre.
On this slide, we see the results of the second quarter.
Oui, ils montrent une hausse de 12 % par rapport au trimestre précédent.
Yes, they show a 12% increase compared to the previous quarter.
✕Common Mistakes
Sur cette diapo, on voit...
In formal writing, replace the informal 'diapo' with 'diapositive'.
Sur cette diapo, on voyait...
Avoid using the imperfect 'voyait' here; the present tense 'voit' is required to describe what is currently shown.
Sur cette diapo, on voir...
The infinitive 'voir' cannot be used as a conjugated verb in this construction.
↔Alternatives
Dans cette diapositive, on peut observer...
In this slide, we can observe...
Sur cette image, on remarque...
In this image, we notice...
Cette diapo montre...
This slide shows...
Cultural Tip
In French presentations, 'diapo' is a colloquial shortcut; in formal contexts you might prefer 'diapositive' or 'diapositive PowerPoint'. Also, while 'on' is perfectly acceptable, using 'nous' can sound more formal: 'Sur cette diapo, nous voyons…'.