qu'on lui

that we ... to him/her

→ que

phrase Uncommon #13,919

that we ... to him/her This is part of a longer construction: qu'on (que + on, “that we” or “that someone”) followed by lui, meaning “to him” or “to her.” The exact English translation depends on the verb and context.

FR: Tu veux qu'on lui apporte un cadeau ?

EN: Do you want us to bring him a gift?

Qu'on lui apporte de l'eau.

Let water be brought to him.

— Die My Love (2025)

Leur dieu aime qu'on lui offre un tel saké ?

Does their god like being offered such sake?

— Your Name. (2016)

À peine Tom était-il arrivé qu'on lui demanda de partir.

Tom had barely arrived when he was asked to leave.

J'aimerais qu'on lui redresse les dents.

I’d like to have their teeth straightened.

Il n'aime pas qu'on lui dise quoi faire.

He doesn't like being told what to do.

Qu'on lui coupe la tête !

Off with his head!

— Aucun autre choix (2025)

Elle fixait ce ciel rond en espérant qu'on lui vienne en aide.

She stared at that round sky, hoping someone would come to her aid.

— Burning (2018)

Mon chat aime qu'on lui gratte derrière les oreilles.

My cat likes having its ears scratched.

Il a exigé qu'on lui rende son argent.

He demanded that his money be returned to him.

Parce qu'elle adorait qu'on lui dise qu'il sentait bon.

Because she loved being told that he smelled good.

— Mademoiselle (2016)

Il change l'histoire à chaque fois qu'on lui demande.

He changes the story every time he’s asked about it.

— Ratatouille (2007)

Le bébé a besoin qu'on lui change sa couche.

The baby needs to have its diaper changed.

Quand il revient, je propose qu'on lui saute dessus.

When he comes back, I suggest we jump him.

— Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die (2026)

Tom n'aime pas qu'on lui dise qu'il n'est pas encore assez grand.

Tom doesn't like being told that he's not big enough yet.

Il mérite qu'on lui organise de belles obsèques.

He deserves a beautiful funeral.

Tom déteste qu'on lui dise de se dépêcher.

Tom hates being told to hurry up.

Elle n'avait pas besoin qu'on lui dise, elle l'aurait su tôt ou tard.

She didn’t need anyone to tell her; she would have found out sooner or later.

— Night Watch (2004)

Pour éviter qu'on lui prenne Woo-sung ?

To keep someone from taking Woo-sung away from him/her?

— Les Bonnes étoiles (2022)

Il voulait qu'on lui fasse confiance.

He wanted us to trust him.

— Bouge pas, meurs, ressuscite (1990)

Tom n'aime pas qu'on lui dise quoi faire.

Tom doesn't like being told what to do.