Soyons

Soyons is a form of the French verb être. It is the first-person plural present subjunctive (nous) of être, and in practical use it often functions as an exhortation equivalent to the English “let us be” or, more loosely, “let’s be.” It is also commonly used in a strongly idiomatic sense as an imperative-like exhortation, especially when followed by an adjective or noun, as in “Soyons prudents” or “Soyons honnêtes.”

Grammatically, soyons appears in sentences that express a wish, a suggestion, or a proposed course of action for a group including the speaker. It can introduce a clause beginning with que (as in “que nous soyons…”), but it is frequently found at the start of a sentence on its own to rally collective behavior. The form contrasts with other present-subjunctive endings for different subjects (je sois, tu sois, il soit, nous soyons, vous soyez, ils soient) and with the corresponding indicative mood.

Usage notes describe soyons as common in formal, rhetorical, or literary contexts, as well as in everyday speech when a speaker invites collaboration or careful consideration. Because it carries a sense of collective agency, it frequently appears in slogans, mottos, and persuasive writing.

Translation to English centers on “let us be” or “let’s be,” depending on context. As part of the verb être, soyons shares its irregular roots with other forms of the same verb in French.