Usage note : it

When it is used as a subject pronoun to refer to a specific object (or animal) il or elle is used in French according to the gender of the object referred to :

‘where is the book/chair?’ ‘it’s in the kitchen’

= ‘où est le livre/la chaise?’ ‘il/elle est dans la cuisine’

‘do you like my skirt?’ ‘it’s lovely’

= ‘est-ce que tu aimes ma jupe?’ ‘elle est très jolie’

However, if the object referred to is named in the same sentence, it is translated by ce (c’ before a vowel) :

it’s a good film

= c’est un bon film

When it is used as an object pronoun it is translated by le or la (l’ before a vowel) according to the gender of the object referred to :

it’s my book/my chair and I want it

= c’est mon livre/ma chaise et je le/la veux

Note that the object pronoun normally comes before the verb in French and that in compound tenses like the perfect and the past perfect, the past participle agrees with it :

I liked his shirt - did you notice it?

= j’ai aimé sa chemise - est-ce que tu l’as remarquée? or l’as-tu remarquée?

In imperatives only, the pronoun comes after the verb :

it’s my book - give it to me

= c’est mon livre - donne-le-moi (note the hyphens)

When it is used vaguely or impersonally followed by an adjective the translation is ce (c’ before a vowel) :

it’s difficult

= c’est difficile

it’s sad

= c’est triste

But when it is used impersonally followed by an adjective + verb the translation is il :

it’s difficult to understand how…

= il est difficile de comprendre comment …

If in doubt consult the entry for the adjective in question.

For translations for impersonal verb uses (it’s raining, it’s snowing) consult the entry for the verb in question.

it is used in expressions of days of the week (it’s Friday) and clock time (it’s 5 o’clock). This dictionary contains usage notes on these and many other topics. For other impersonal and idiomatic uses see the entry it.

When it is used after a preposition in English the two words (prep + it) are often translated by one word in French. If the preposition would normally be translated by de in French (e.g. of, about, from etc.) the prep + it = en :

I’ve heard about it

= j’en ai entendu parler

If the preposition would normally be translated by à in French (e.g. to, in, at etc.) the prep + it = y :

they went to it

= ils y sont allés

For translations of it following prepositions not normally translated by de or à (e.g. above, under, over etc.) consult the entry for the preposition.

Big English-French dictionary. 2003.