Be French LogoBe French
Back to B Words

bien

/bjɛ̃/
1.
adverb

well

in good condition

satisfactorily

correctly

Elle danse bien.

She dances well.

Synonyms:comme il faut, admirablement, correctement
2.
adverb

really

very

quite (used to intensify an adjective or verb)

C'est bien pénible d'attendre le bus sous la pluie.

It's really annoying to wait for the bus in the rain.

Synonyms:vraiment, très, carrément, grave, tout à fait, trop
4.
nounmasculine

good(s)

possession(s)

property

asset(s)

Ils ont perdu tous leurs biens dans l'incendie.

They lost all their possessions in the fire.

Synonyms:possession, propriété, avoir
3.
adverb

well (used to start or transition in speech)

Bien, commençons la réunion.

Well, let's start the meeting.

Synonyms:bon, alors, donc

Notes

GENERAL INFO

Bien primarily means "well" (adverb). It can also function as a noun ("good," "property"), an intensifier ("quite," "very"), or an interjection ("okay," "good").

USAGE

As an adverb, it modifies verbs: *Je vais bien.* (I am well.) *Il parle bien français.* (He speaks French well.) It can intensify adjectives: *C'est bien chaud.* (It's quite hot.)

TRAPS

Don't confuse bien (adverb, "well") with *bon* (adjective, "good"). While *C'est bien!* means "That's good/correct!", you'd say *C'est un bon repas* (It's a good meal).