A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "We should be friends" in French
Suggest friendship after a good connection, implying a desire for a platonic relationship.
On devrait être amis.
ohn duh-vree-ohn BET-ruh a-MEEcasual
French TTS · 0:01
Use this when you've met someone and feel a good vibe, but you're not looking for romance. It's a way to acknowledge the connection and propose continuing it on a friendly basis.
Alternatives
- On pourrait être amis.Slightly softer, more hypothetical than 'should'.
- Ça te dirait qu'on soit amis ?More of a direct question, asking for their opinion.
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing 'on'
The 'on' sounds like the 'own' in 'own' but with a nasal sound, not like the English word 'on'.
Silent 't' in 'devrait'
The 't' at the end of 'devrait' is silent; it's pronounced 'duh-vree'.
A small cultural note
While directness is appreciated, proposing friendship can sometimes be interpreted as a way to let someone down gently if romantic interest was implied.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
Is 'On devrait être amis' romantic?
No, this phrase explicitly suggests a platonic relationship. It's used when you want to be friends, not lovers.
When is the right time to say this?
Say it after you've spent some time with someone and feel a genuine connection, but not a romantic one. It's a way to solidify a non-romantic bond.
Can I use 'nous' instead of 'on'?
While grammatically correct, 'Nous devrions être amis' sounds much more formal and less natural in everyday conversation for this specific sentiment.
