Published February 17, 2024 · Updated May 27, 2026 — By French teacher David Issokson with native audio by Marie Assel Cambier
Soit — Meaning and Pronunciation
Soit is a versatile and often confusing French word with several common meanings. It can mean “either” when presenting alternatives, and it is also the subjunctive form of être (to be). You’ll also see it in expressions such as que ce soit (whether it be) and quoi que ce soit (anything at all). This lesson explains six common usages of soit with clear audio examples.
IPA pronunciation of soit is /swa/ (IPA), which sounds like “swah”.
Example sentences
1. Either…or choice (soit A, soit B)
Soit on part ce matin, soit on part demain, on doit prendre une décision.
Either we leave this morning or we leave tomorrow; we need to make a decision.
2. Subjunctive after necessity
Il faut qu’il soit plus patient.
He needs to be more patient.
3. Whether it is A or B (que ce soit A ou B)
Que ce soit aujourd’hui ou demain m’importe peu.
Whether it’s today or tomorrow is of little importance to me.
4. Referring to anything (quoi que ce soit)
Si tu as besoin de quoi que ce soit, appelle-moi !
Call me if you need anything at all!
5. Whether this or that (soit que A, soit que B)
Soit que tu partes, soit que tu restes, tu es toujours la bienvenue chez moi.
Whether you leave or whether you stay, you are always welcome at my place.
6. Giving an imperative command
➞ Here, soit becomes sois because this is the imperative form of être (to be).
Sois gentil !
Be nice!
💡 The subjunctive is one of the most confusing parts of French for many learners. Go through these two quick lessons to start mastering it today.
👉 Subjunctive conjugations and how it works »
👉 Subjunctive audio examples »
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Related Words and Expressions
- quoi qu’il en soit — regardless
- que ce soit — whether it be
- quoi que ce soit — anything at all
- soit… soit… — either… or…
- soit que… soit que… — whether… or whether…
- ainsi soit-il — so be it
- bien que ce soit — although it is
Word origin
In French, soit is the third-person singular subjunctive form of the verb être (to be). In Latin, the third-person singular subjunctive of the equivalent verb esse (to be) is sit. Its Spanish and Italian subjunctive counterparts are sea and sia.
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