Mal vs mauvais with copular verb être

CherylC1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Mal vs mauvais with copular verb être

Bonjour.

re. mal vs mauvais/mauvaise: Is the adverb "mal" used as an adjective with the copular verb être, to say "bad"?

For example, to say "good", do we only use the adjective of "good" with être (a copular verb): "Pierre est bon. C'est un bon homme." But, when saying "bad" instead of "good" with être, do we use "mal" (adverb) instead of mauvais to say "He is bad",  but use "mauvais" when a noun is present? : "Il est mal. C'est un mauvais homme." 

I find this topic confusing.

Cheryl

Asked 5 years ago
CécileKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Hi Cheryl ,

In the examples you give, you cannot say il est mal - it would be: Il est mauvaisHe is bad

and

 C'est un homme mauvais /c'est un mauvais homme. =  He is a bad/wicked man.

Hope this helps!

 

CherylC1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Thank you again Cécile. You are always helpful!

Bonne journée.

Cheryl

Mal vs mauvais with copular verb être

Bonjour.

re. mal vs mauvais/mauvaise: Is the adverb "mal" used as an adjective with the copular verb être, to say "bad"?

For example, to say "good", do we only use the adjective of "good" with être (a copular verb): "Pierre est bon. C'est un bon homme." But, when saying "bad" instead of "good" with être, do we use "mal" (adverb) instead of mauvais to say "He is bad",  but use "mauvais" when a noun is present? : "Il est mal. C'est un mauvais homme." 

I find this topic confusing.

Cheryl

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