Nous devons partir maintenant.

we

Breakdown of Nous devons partir maintenant.

• maintenant: now
• partir: to leave
• devoir: must

Questions & Answers about Nous devons partir maintenant.

How do I pronounce devons in this sentence?

In French, devons is pronounced somewhat like “duh-vohn,” with the vowel sound in the second syllable nasalized (like on in French). The s at the end is silent.

Why is partir in the infinitive form after devons?

Devoir is always followed by an infinitive when it expresses obligation. So when you say nous devons partir, the main verb devoir (conjugated as devons) requires the next verb (partir) to remain in its infinitive form.

What is the difference between saying nous devons partir and il faut partir?

Both mean that leaving is necessary. Nous devons partir literally means "We must leave," emphasizing that we specifically have to do it. Il faut partir is more impersonal and translates to something like "It is necessary to leave" or "We have to leave" without directly highlighting who must go.

Can I replace nous with on in everyday French?