bien vs bon

MaryC1Kwiziq community member

bien vs bon

I think it's interesting that you never note the divergence of french and english grammar on using bien as an adverb with être.  If one says in english  "it is good", good is an adjective.  If one says the french version of this "C'est bien" one uses the adverb. Elsewhere in french "c'est" is followed by an adjective "c'est beau". Usually, I guess, one uses il/elle "il est difficile".   But it seems unusual to suddenly use an adverb to describe not a verb but the noun of the sentence.  I can see easily Ça va bien, because bien is modifying the verb going. 

 

Asked 1 month ago
CélineKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Bonjour à tous,

Thank you all for your suggestions ! We're taking them into account to clarify this tricky point in the lesson.

Merci et bonne journée !

MaartenC1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

"Bien" is an adjective as well. I agree that it is incorrectly noted as an adverb sometimes when it is adjectival :

 https://www.larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais/bien/9151 

https://dictionnaire.lerobert.com/definition/bien

ChrisC1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

C'est bon generally refers to something that tastes good or is pleasant, such as food, a drink, or an experience.

Cette tarte est très bonne. -- This pie is very good
C'était bon de te voir. -- It was good to see you.

C'est bien can refer to something being good, but it can also mean "that's right" or "that's good" in the sense of approving of something.

C'est bien de faire du sport. --It's good to exercise

Tu as réussi l'examen ? C'est bien ! -- You passed the exam? That's good!.

bien vs bon

I think it's interesting that you never note the divergence of french and english grammar on using bien as an adverb with être.  If one says in english  "it is good", good is an adjective.  If one says the french version of this "C'est bien" one uses the adverb. Elsewhere in french "c'est" is followed by an adjective "c'est beau". Usually, I guess, one uses il/elle "il est difficile".   But it seems unusual to suddenly use an adverb to describe not a verb but the noun of the sentence.  I can see easily Ça va bien, because bien is modifying the verb going. 

 

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Getting that for you now...