French Phrase
On n'attend pas de neige.
Meaning
The sentence means “We don’t expect any snow.” It is used to state that snowfall is not anticipated, often in a weather forecast or when planning outdoor activities.
When to use
Use this phrase when discussing weather predictions, making travel plans, or explaining why you won’t need winter gear. It works well in informal conversation and in written weather updates.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Onn'attendpasdeneige.
Pronoun "on"
"On" is an indefinite pronoun that can mean "we", "people", or "one" in everyday French, often used instead of "nous" in informal speech.
Negative construction
The standard French negation surrounds the verb with "ne…pas"; the contracted form "n'" is used before a vowel or mute "h".
Partitive article after negation
When a partitive or indefinite article follows a negative, it changes to "de" (or "d'" before a vowel), regardless of gender or number.
"Attendre" meaning
"Attendre" can mean "to wait for" or "to expect"; in this context it conveys an expectation about the weather.
🗨In Conversation
Il va faire froid demain ?
Is it going to be cold tomorrow?
Oui, mais on n'attend pas de neige.
Yes, but we don’t expect any snow.
✕Common Mistakes
On ne pas de neige.
The "ne" is required before the verb; it contracts to "n'" before the vowel of "attend".
On n'attend pas de la neige.
After a negative, the partitive article becomes "de"; "de la neige" is only used in affirmative statements.
↔Alternatives
On ne prévoit pas de neige.
We don’t forecast any snow.
Il n'est pas prévu qu'il neige.
Snow isn’t expected.
Nous ne prévoyons pas de neige.
We don’t anticipate snow.
Cultural Tip
In French weather talk, the impersonal "on" is preferred over "nous" for a casual tone. Also, French speakers often replace "de la neige" with "de neige" after a negative, even though the partitive article would be used in a positive sentence (e.g., "Il y a de la neige").