French Phrase
On est le 15 août.
Meaning
This phrase is the most common and informal way to state the current date in French. It uses the pronoun 'on' to represent a collective 'we' or a general 'it', making the tone conversational and natural.
When to use
Use this phrase in daily life when someone asks for the date or when you are identifying today's date on a calendar. It is perfect for casual settings with friends, family, or colleagues.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Onestle15 août
On
An informal pronoun that functions like 'we' but uses the third-person singular verb conjugation.
Le
The masculine definite article 'le' is mandatory before the number in French date constructions.
🗨In Conversation
On est quel jour aujourd'hui ?
What day is it today?
On est le 15 août.
It's August 15th.
✕Common Mistakes
Nous est le 15 août.
The pronoun 'nous' must be paired with 'sommes'; 'est' is only used with 'on', 'il', or 'elle'.
On est 15 août.
In French, you must always use the definite article 'le' before the number when stating a date.
↔Alternatives
Nous sommes le 15 août.
We are the 15th of August (Formal).
C'est le 15 août.
It is August 15th (Neutral).
Cultural Tip
August 15th is 'L'Assomption', a major public holiday in France. Many shops and services close as people attend festivals or enjoy the peak of the summer holiday season.