1. I think the translation of this sentence is wrong
On ne doit pas penser qu'à soi : One mustn't think only of oneself.
2.For me, it must be like this:
One must think only of oneself.
Wrong translation (I think)
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Kwiziq community member
Wrong translation (I think)
This question relates to:French lesson "Moi/toi/lui/elle/soi/nous/vous/eux/elles - advanced usages (French Stress Pronouns)"
Asked 5 years ago
Hi H,
On ne doit penser qu'à soi
would be what you are suggesting , the pas makes it a negative meaning.
Chris W. Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
The negated verb is devoir, so it is "must not".
On doit penser à soi. -- One must think of oneself.
On ne doit penser pas à soi. -- One mustn't think of oneself.
On ne doit penser pas qu'à soi. -- One mustn't hink only of oneself.
Joan C.Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor
Is "On ne doit pas penser à soi." correct?
"Je ne veux pas travailler" .Why "veux travailler" is not placed in between "ne..pas" as "On ne doit penser pas à soi." do?
How should we place "ne...pas" in "verb+infinitive" structure?
Diego B.Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor
"On ne doit penser pas" is wrong. It'd be "On ne doit pas penser ...".
On doit penser à soi. -- One must think of oneself.
On ne doit pas penser à soi. -- One mustn't think of oneself.
On ne doit pas penser qu'à soi. -- One mustn't think only of oneself.
Finally, On doit penser qu'a soi means One should only think of oneself (or care for / look after oneself).
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