Dialogue
Donc or alors? Say so and then in a French conversation
Follow a neighbourhood clean-up conversation to use donc for a result, alors for a next step, and alors meaning then. Practise your part and take a quiz.
- A2
- 10 lines
- Practice mode
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In short
Donc connects a fact with a result or decision: Il manque des sacs, donc je vais en chercher. Alors can also mean “so”, especially in conversation, and it can mean “then” when telling a story. Alors, on commence ? moves the conversation to its next step.
Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn
What the group needs
Find:
- Nora
Tout le monde est là. Alors, on commence ?
English
Everyone is here. So, shall we start?
- You
Oui, mais il manque des sacs, donc je vais en chercher.
Say yes, point out that bags are missing, then connect this to your plan to get some.
English
Yes, but we need more bags, so I’m going to get some.
- Nora
Il y en a dans le local. Les gants sont là aussi.
English
There are some in the storeroom. The gloves are there too.
- You
Le local est loin, alors je prends mon vélo.
The storeroom is far away. Say that you are taking your bike as a result.
English
The storeroom is far away, so I’m taking my bike.
- Nora
Bonne idée. Tu peux prendre une paire de gants pour moi ?
English
Good idea. Can you get a pair of gloves for me?
- You
Bien sûr. Tu as ta gourde ?
Agree, then ask whether Nora has her water bottle.
English
Of course. Have you got your water bottle?
- Nora
Oui, je l’ai remplie avant de partir.
English
Yes, I filled it before leaving.
- You
Parfait. Nous aurons donc tout ce qu’il faut pour commencer.
Say that you will therefore have everything needed to start.
English
Perfect. So we will have everything we need to start.
- Nora
Tu me rejoins ici dans dix minutes ?
English
Will you meet me here in ten minutes?
- You
Oui. À tout de suite !
Agree and say you will see her shortly.
English
Yes. See you in a moment!
What is the difference between donc and alors?
| French | Job | English |
|---|---|---|
| Il manque des sacs, donc je vais en chercher. | Result or decision | We need more bags, so I’m going to get some. |
| Alors, on commence ? | Next conversational step | So, shall we start? |
| J’ai ouvert le local. Alors, mon téléphone a sonné. | Next event in a story | I opened the storeroom. Then my phone rang. |
In the last example, alors tells you what happened next. Ensuite also gives that sequence. With donc, the second clause follows from the first in the speaker’s reasoning: Le local est fermé, donc nous attendons ici.