Learn French: Nous sommes ici ensemble.

Nous sommes ici ensemble.

We are here together.

Breakdown of Nous sommes ici ensemble.

we / us (object pronoun)

ensemble

together

Questions & Answers about Nous sommes ici ensemble.

Why do we use sommes here instead of est or suis?

Sommes is the specific form of the verb être (to be) that goes with the plural pronoun nous (we). Just like in English where we say 'I am' but 'we are', in French you must change the verb to match the subject.

I hear a 'z' sound between sommes and ici. Why is that?

This is called a liaison! Usually, the 's' at the end of sommes is completely silent. But because the next word, ici, starts with a vowel, you often connect them by pronouncing the 's' as a 'z' sound (sommes-z-ici).

Since nous means 'we' (plural), shouldn't ensemble have an 's' at the end?

No, because ensemble (together) is an adverb, not an adjective. Adverbs describe how an action is done, and unlike adjectives, they never change their spelling or add an 's' to match plural words.

Is ensemble related to the English word 'ensemble'?

Yes! In English, an 'ensemble' often refers to a group of musicians playing together or a matching set of clothes. In French, it simply means 'together'. Thinking of a musical ensemble is a great way to remember this word!