Improve your French wherever you are in the world with our online courses

Grammar For Dummies Different use of Bien & Bon

GRAMMAR FOR DUMMIES

Different use of Bien & Bon

As previously explained in a different Grammar For Dummies, « bon » & « bien » are grammatically different :

« Bon » is an adjective (so it gives information about a noun and it can change : bon / bonne / bons / bonnes) and is the opposite of « mauvais » (that also changes : mauvais / mauvaise/ mauvaises).

« Bien » is an adverb (it gives information about verbs, and as verbs don‘t have a gender its spelling never changes) and its opposite is « mal » (again never changes its spelling).

Different use of « bien » :

To emphazise :

« Bien » in spoken French is often used as a replacement of « très » to emphasize :

Examples :

Je suis bien contente = je suis très/super contente.

C’était bien bon ! = c’était très / super bon.

Ce week end, c’était bien cool on a fait ….. = … c’était très /super cool

C’est bien dommage que … = C’est très / super dommage

Il fait bien froid en ce moment = il fait très froid en ce moment.

To ask for a confirmation (you are not sure you have the correct information so you want to double check):

Examples :

In a shop : C’est ….€, c’est bien ça ?

On the phone : Je suis bien chez Madame Brown ?

Different use of « bon » :

To express a surprise : Ah bon ?? = Vraiment ??

Examples :

Ah bon ?? La piscine est fermée en inter saison ?

Ah bon ?? Il va neiger demain ?

To ask for a validation or to validate something : c’est bon ? / c’est bon !

Examples :

C’est toujours bon, je passe te prendre demain à 14h ? = ask for a validation

Est ce qu’on se voit la semaine prochaine ? Oui c’est bon pour moi ! = a validation

On fait des crêpes ? Oui c’est bon j’ai tout ce qu’il faut. = a validation

December 1st, 2025
Activities Grammar for Dummies

The Best Resources to Learn French: Books, Films, Podcasts, and More

Learning French isn’t just about memorising grammar or vocabulary — it’s about immersing yourself in the language through stories, voices, culture, and everyday expressions. The best way to progress is to combine different types of input, such as reading, listening, watching, and engaging with short-form content. Variety is key: mix…

November 20th, 2025
Grammar for Dummies

Celebrating International French Teachers Day

Every year, International French Teachers Day gives us a chance to celebrate the amazing people who teach French around the world. These teachers do so much more than teach grammar or vocabulary — they share culture, spark curiosity, and help learners build connections across communities. It’s a day to recognise…

October 29th, 2024
Grammar for Dummies

Les Salutations: Greetings in French

If you’re venturing into the world of the French language, one of the first things you’ll want to learn is how to greet people. Greetings are essential in any language; they set the tone for interactions and help you make a good first impression. In this blog, we’ll explore greetings,…

December 12th, 2021
Grammar for Dummies

Christmas in France – What to expect

Just like everywhere else in the world, Father Christmas (known as Père Noël or Papa Noël in France) brings gifts to children who have been well-behaved on Christmas Day. The sapin de Noël (Christmas tree) is the main decoration in homes, streets, shops, and offices. On le Réveillon (Christmas Eve),…