Donc is a French conjunction meaning therefore, so or thus and is used to express a consequence.
donc – [dɔ̃k]
so, therefore, thus
Donc
Word origin
The Modern French word donc comes from dunc in Vulgar Latin.
Example sentences
For these first to examples, the meaning of donc is “so”. For these sentences, I could have also used alors, meaning “so”.
Il est déjà onze heures. Donc, il est temps de travailler.
It’s already 11 o’clock. So, it’s time to work.
J’ai raté le dernier métro, donc je dois rentrer chez moi à pied.
I missed the last metro. So, I have to walk home.
This next example is a dialogue with two people speaking.
Je n’ai pas envie de travailler aujourd’hui. – Donc, tu veux aller en ville?
I don’t feel like working today. – So, do you want to go downtown?
This sentence is slightly more formal with donc meaning “therefore”.
Je ne connais pas bien cette ville, je préfère donc prendre un taxi.
I don’t know this city very well. Therefore, I prefer to take a taxi.
The expression “Dis donc !” means “Say!” or “Hey!”.
Dis donc ! Tu parles vachement bien français !
Say! You speak French really well!
Related lessons
- Alors – so, then
- Déjà – already
- Ville – city
- Aujourd’hui – today
- Vachement – really, so, very (slang)
- Avoir Envie – To want, to fancy
- Chez – At the home of
- Français – French
References
Word of the Day | Lessons by David Issokson
