French Phrase
On prend un DJ ?
Meaning
A casual way to suggest hiring a disc‑jockey for a party or gathering. It literally means ‘Shall we take a DJ?’ but is understood as ‘Do we get a DJ?’ or ‘Let’s hire a DJ.’
When to use
Use this phrase in informal settings – friends planning a birthday, a house party, a wedding reception, or any event where music is a central element. It’s best suited for spoken French among peers.
✦Grammar Breakdown
OnprendunDJ?
On (impersonal ‘we’)
In spoken French, *on* is used instead of *nous* to mean ‘we’ or ‘people in general’, and it takes third‑person singular verb forms.
Prendre (present tense)
*Prendre* is conjugated as *prend* for the third‑person singular in the present indicative.
Indefinite article *un*
*Un* marks a non‑specific, masculine noun. *DJ* is masculine in French, so the article is *un*.
Borrowed noun *DJ*
*DJ* (disc jockey) is a loanword; it is treated as a regular masculine noun and pronounced *dé‑jé*.
Rising intonation for a suggestion
The question mark is conveyed mainly by a rising intonation rather than a formal interrogative structure.
🗨In Conversation
Il faut de la bonne musique pour danser toute la nuit.
We need good music to dance all night.
On prend un DJ ?
Shall we get a DJ?
✕Common Mistakes
Nous prenons un DJ ?
Using *nous* sounds overly formal for a casual suggestion; native speakers prefer *on*.
On prend le DJ ?
The definite article *le* implies a specific DJ already known, changing the meaning.
On prend un D.J. ?
The periods are unnecessary; the accepted spelling is *DJ*.
↔Alternatives
On engage un DJ ?
Do we hire a DJ?
On fait appel à un DJ ?
Should we call a DJ?
On met un DJ ?
Do we put a DJ on?
Cultural Tip
In French conversation, *on* replaces *nous* far more often than in English, especially in suggestions. The verb stays in the third‑person singular, which can feel informal to learners. Also, *DJ* is masculine, so you’ll hear *un DJ* even though the English word ends with a consonant that might suggest a different gender.