{"id":119361,"date":"2023-06-18T08:53:31","date_gmt":"2023-06-18T12:53:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/bon-vs-bien\/"},"modified":"2025-01-27T04:48:04","modified_gmt":"2025-01-27T09:48:04","slug":"bon-vs-bien","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/french\/bon-vs-bien\/","title":{"rendered":"Bon vs Bien in French"},"content":{"rendered":"

Does French seriously need two words for “good?”<\/strong><\/p>\n

Well, technically, yes, it does, for the same reason that English has “good” and “well.”<\/p>\n

In this grammar guide, we’ll explain the big differences between bon<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0bien<\/em><\/strong>\u2014you’ll see that they’re actually quite different from each other.<\/p>\n

Then we’ll walk through specific cases where you always use one or the other<\/strong>, to further cut down on any guesswork.<\/p>\n

[fluentu-toc]<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Differences Between Bon<\/em> and\u00a0Bien<\/em><\/h2>\n

The basics of\u00a0bon\u00a0<\/em>and\u00a0bien\u00a0<\/em>are pretty easy for English speakers, considering\u00a0we have a very similar pair of words: “good”\u00a0and “well.”<\/strong><\/p>\n

Typically, bon<\/em> and “good” are used as adjectives:<\/p>\n

Le repas est bon.<\/em> (The meal is good.)<\/p>\n

On the other hand,\u00a0bien\u00a0<\/em>and “well”\u00a0<\/em>are usually used as adverbs:<\/p>\n

Il joue bien au foot.\u00a0<\/em>(He plays soccer well.)<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, that’s not all there is to these two short words! Both can act as adjectives, adverbs, and even nouns, depending on the context. Let’s explore the differences between\u00a0bon\u00a0<\/em>and\u00a0bien <\/em>in more detail.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Bon\u00a0<\/em>and b<\/em>ien\u00a0<\/em>as Adjectives<\/h3>\n

As we’ve already seen, bon <\/em>is usually an adjective in French<\/a>, which means that it describes a noun.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Bien<\/em> can only act as an adjective when used with a state-of-being verb such as \u00eatre<\/em>\u00a0(to be),\u00a0penser\u00a0<\/em>(to think),\u00a0croire\u00a0<\/em>(to believe) and\u00a0sembler\u00a0<\/em>(to seem).\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Consider the following examples of\u00a0bon<\/em> and bien<\/em> acting as adjectives:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Bon<\/th><\/td>Bien<\/th><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
C\u2019est une bonne id\u00e9e.<\/i><\/td>That's a good idea.<\/td>Ce restaurant est vraiment bien.<\/i><\/td>This restaurant is good.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
C\u2019est un bon prof.<\/i><\/td>He's a good teacher.<\/td>On est bien ici.<\/i><\/td>We are comfortable here.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mon chien est bon.<\/i><\/td>My dog is good.<\/td>Alors, il \u00e9tait bien ce film ?<\/i>
\n<\/td>		Well, was the movie any good?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
C'est une bonne id\u00e9e de boire du caf\u00e9.<\/i><\/td>It's a good idea to drink coffee.<\/td>Tr\u00e8s bien !<\/i><\/td>Very good!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Bon<\/em> and bien<\/em> as Adverbs<\/h3>\n

Just as\u00a0bon<\/em> is usually an adjective, bien<\/em> is usually an adverb. Adverbs in French<\/a> are used to describe verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Bon<\/em> very rarely acts as an adverb, although it can be used to mean good <\/em>or pleasant.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

In these examples,\u00a0bon\u00a0<\/em>and\u00a0bien<\/em> act as adverbs:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Bon<\/th><\/td>Bien<\/th><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Cette fleur sent bon.<\/i><\/td>The flower smells good.<\/td>Marie travaille bien.<\/i><\/td>Marie works well.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Oui, parfait, c\u2019est bon pour moi.<\/i><\/td>Perfect, that's good for me.<\/td>Je me sens bien.<\/i><\/td>I feel fine.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ce plat est tr\u00e8s bon.<\/i><\/td>The dish is very good.<\/td>Je ne me sens pas bien.<\/i><\/td>I don't feel well.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Il fait bon vivre !<\/i><\/td>It's good to be alive!<\/td>bien mieux<\/i><\/td>much better<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Bon<\/em> and\u00a0bien<\/em> as Nouns<\/h3>\n

As a noun, le bon\u00a0<\/em>can mean “advantage” or be used to refer to “the good part” of something. It can also mean\u00a0“voucher”, just so you know!\u00a0<\/p>\n

Le bien, <\/em>as a noun, means “good” in the conceptual or spiritual sense\u2014as in the phrase “good vs. evil”. It can also mean “possession” as in the phrase “treasured possession.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Bon<\/th><\/td>Bien<\/th><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Il est parti pour de bon.<\/i><\/td>He's gone for good.<\/td>le bien et le mal<\/i> <\/td>good and evil<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cette fois, on le fait pour de bon.<\/i><\/td>Let's do it for real this time.<\/td>C\u2019est pour son bien.<\/i><\/td>It's for his own good.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Il est f\u00e2ch\u00e9 pour de bon.<\/i><\/td>He's really angry.<\/td>son bien le plus pr\u00e9cieux<\/i><\/td>his most treasured possession<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
C\u2019est la bonne.<\/i><\/td>It's the right one.<\/td>le bien public<\/i><\/td>the public good<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

When to Use\u00a0Bon<\/em> in French<\/h2>\n

Talking about the senses<\/h3>\n

One very common usage of\u00a0bon<\/em> is to compliment someone’s cooking\u2014in other words, describing a food’s good taste. Just as\u00a0bon\u00a0<\/em>is used to\u00a0describe taste, it’s used to describe other senses as well.<\/p>\n

Le g\u00e2teau a bon go\u00fbt.<\/em> (The cake tastes good.)<\/p>\n

Le caf\u00e9\u00a0sent\u00a0bon.\u00a0<\/em>(The coffee smells good.)<\/p>\n

When something is done\/ready<\/h3>\n

You can simply use bon\u00a0<\/em>to indicate that something is finished or ready.<\/p>\n

“<\/em>C’est bon.”\u00a0<\/em>(“It’s ready.”)<\/p>\n

To indicate “enough”<\/h3>\n

You can also use\u00a0bon\u00a0<\/em>to indicate “enough. For example, if someone is pouring wine for you and your glass is filled to your liking, you say:<\/p>\n

C’est bon.<\/em>\u00a0(That’s enough.)<\/p>\n

As an adverbial adjective<\/h3>\n

Though it’s rare, sometimes\u00a0bon\u00a0<\/em>is used as an adverbial adjective, which means that it provides more information on a verb, another adjective or an adverb. A common example of this is when talking about smell.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Les fleurs\u00a0sentent\u00a0bon.\u00a0<\/em>(These flowers smell good.)<\/p>\n

You can also use\u00a0bon\u00a0<\/em>with the construction\u00a0il fait\u00a0<\/em>+\u00a0bon\u00a0<\/em>+ verb to mean that it’s generally good to do something.<\/p>\n

Il fait bon se promener.\u00a0<\/em>(It is good to go walking.)<\/p>\n

Il fait bon travailler.\u00a0<\/em>(It is good to work.)<\/p>\n

Additionally,\u00a0bon\u00a0<\/em>can be used to modify certain special verbs like\u00a0sembler\u00a0<\/em>(to seem) and\u00a0tenir\u00a0<\/em>(to hold). When bon\u00a0<\/em>is\u00a0used with these verbs, the meaning is a bit more broad than “good.”<\/p>\n

Tiens bon ! <\/em>(Hold on!\/Hang in there!)<\/p>\n

\u00c7a semble bon.<\/em> (It seems good\/okay.)<\/p>\n

Exclamations and wishes<\/h3>\n

French speakers often use\u00a0bon\u00a0<\/em>in short, exclamatory phrases that express good wishes to someone<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Bonne chance !<\/em> (Good luck!)<\/p>\n

Bon voyage !<\/em> (Have a good trip! \u2014 Literally, “Good trip!”)<\/p>\n

Bonne id\u00e9e !<\/em> (Good idea!)<\/p>\n

Bon app\u00e9tit !<\/em> (Dig in!)<\/p>\n

When something is correct<\/h3>\n

You’ll also need to use\u00a0bon\u00a0<\/em>to express when something is correct.<\/p>\n

Ce n’est pas la\u00a0bonne r\u00e9ponse.\u00a0<\/em>(It’s not the correct answer.)<\/p>\n

Oui, ces papiers. Ce sont les bons devoirs pour ce soir. <\/em>(Yes, these papers. These are the correct homework sheets for this evening.)<\/p>\n

When something is enjoyable or pleasant<\/h3>\n

You use\u00a0bon\u00a0<\/em>to talk about something\u2014a period of time or an event, for example\u2014that was enjoyable or pleasant.<\/p>\n

J’ai pass\u00e9 de bonnes vacances.\u00a0<\/em>(I had a pleasant vacation.)<\/p>\n

C’\u00e9tait un bon No\u00ebl.\u00a0<\/em>(It was a good Christmas.)<\/p>\n

When talking about competency, kindness or quality<\/h3>\n

You can use this\u00a0bon<\/em> to discuss a person’s character or skills, or the quality of something.<\/p>\n

Elle est une bonne actrice.\u00a0<\/em>(She’s a good actress.)<\/p>\n

Elle est vraiment bonne.\u00a0<\/em>(She is truly good. \u2014 In this case, the sentence is describing someone’s overall kindness or character as good.)<\/p>\n

C’est le bon vin.\u00a0<\/em>(It’s the high quality\/good wine).<\/p>\n

As the noun “voucher” or “coupon”<\/h3>\n

Il y a un bon pour obtenir deux pantalons pour le prix d’un. <\/em>(There’s a coupon for getting two pants for the price of one.)<\/p>\n

When to Use\u00a0Bien<\/em>\u00a0in French<\/h2>\n

Bien\u00a0<\/em>has fewer uses than\u00a0bon<\/em>, but there are still six possibilities to use it correctly.<\/p>\n

With state-of-being verbs<\/h3>\n

Use bien <\/em>with state-of-being verbs such as \u00eatre<\/em> (to be),\u00a0penser\u00a0<\/em>(to think),\u00a0croire\u00a0<\/em>(to believe) and\u00a0sembler\u00a0<\/em>(to seem).<\/p>\n

Il est bien\u00a0comme prof.\u00a0<\/em>(He is a good professor.)<\/p>\n

Je pense bien \u00e0 toi.\u00a0<\/em>(I think well of you.)<\/p>\n

When giving an opinion<\/h3>\n

Think of this rule as expressing your likes\/dislikes or satisfaction\/dissatisfaction.<\/p>\n

Le film \u00e9tait bien ! <\/em>(The movie was good!)<\/p>\n

This is different than calling the movie good (in which case, you use bon<\/em>). Instead, you’re using this expression to specifically say that you<\/em> liked it.\u00a0<\/p>\n

When talking about “wellness”<\/h3>\n

Talking about how you feel\u2014specifically, whether or not you feel well\u2014is another situation where you’ll need to use bien<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Je me sens bien.\u00a0<\/em>(I feel well.)<\/p>\n

Tu te sens bien aujourd’hui ? <\/em>(Do you feel well today?)<\/p>\n

There’s also an informal twist on this usage you can use with friends to talk about someone who’s behaving strangely:<\/p>\n

Elle n’est pas bien !? <\/em>(Is she crazy?\u00a0\u2014 Literally, “Is she not well?”)<\/p>\n

To say “really” or “very”<\/h3>\n

Using\u00a0bien\u00a0<\/em>to express “really” or “very” is a common habit among native French speakers.<\/p>\n

Elle est bien m\u00e9chante.\u00a0<\/em>(She is really mean.)<\/p>\n

Je suis bien fatigu\u00e9.\u00a0<\/em>(I am very tired.)<\/p>\n

Il fait bien chaud.\u00a0<\/em>(It’s really hot.)<\/p>\n

As the noun “the good” or “good\/belongings”<\/h3>\n

Savez-vous distinguer le bien du mal ? <\/em>(Do you know good from bad?)<\/p>\n

Il a fait don de ses biens \u00e0 une \u0153uvre\u00a0de bienfaisance.\u00a0<\/em>(He donated his belongings to a charity.)<\/p>\n

As “good” in the expression tr\u00e8s bien<\/em><\/h3>\n

Tr\u00e8s bien ! <\/em>(Very good!)<\/p>\n

FluentU<\/strong> takes authentic videos\u2014like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks\u2014and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.<\/p>\r\n

<\/p> \r\n

You can try FluentU for free for 2 weeks. Check out the website or download the iOS app<\/a> or Android app.<\/a><\/p>\r\n

P.S. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)<\/a><\/i>\r\n<\/p>\r\n

\r\n \"FluentU\r\n

\r\n