French Phrase
Oui, on l'est.
Meaning
A short, affirmative reply meaning “Yes, we are (it).” The “l'” stands for a previously mentioned idea, object or situation, so the whole sentence confirms that the group shares that quality or state.
When to use
Use this sentence in casual conversation when someone asks if your group fits a description that has just been mentioned – e.g., “Est‑ce que vous êtes prêts ?” “Oui, on l’est.” It’s typical in spoken French and informal written exchanges like chats or social media.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Oui,onl'est.
Oui
Simple affirmation meaning “yes”.
on
Informal pronoun that often replaces “nous” (we) in spoken French.
l'
Clitic direct‑object pronoun (le/la) placed before the verb; the apostrophe shows elision before a vowel.
être (est)
Present‑tense 3rd‑person singular of the verb “to be”. With “on” the verb stays in the singular form.
Contraction
The pronoun “l’” and the verb “est” are linked by liaison, producing the sound /l‿ɛ/.
🗨In Conversation
Est‑ce que vous êtes prêts pour le match ?
Are you ready for the match?
Oui, on l'est.
Yes, we are.
✕Common Mistakes
Oui, on le est.
The direct‑object pronoun must be elided before a vowel; write “l'” and keep it attached to the verb.
Oui, nous l'est.
When using “nous”, the verb must agree in the plural: “nous le sommes”.
Oui, on l’est.
Do not add an extra space before the apostrophe; the correct form is “l'est”.
↔Alternatives
Oui, nous le sommes.
Yes, we are (it).
Oui, on l’est bien.
Yes, we really are.
Oui, c’est le cas pour nous.
Yes, that’s the case for us.
Cultural Tip
In everyday French, “on” replaces “nous” far more often than English speakers expect. It gives a relaxed, conversational tone. The clitic “l'” must stay attached to the verb; separating it (e.g., “on le est”) sounds ungrammatical. Also, the liaison between “l'” and “est” is mandatory in standard speech, so native speakers will hear /l‿ɛ/ rather than a pause.