Why "bien" is used to describe certain nouns (instead of an adjective).....
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Leah V.Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor
Why "bien" is used to describe certain nouns (instead of an adjective).....
When one is expressing satisfaction with something, "bien" is used. Ce film est bien.... C'est bien, je suis heureuse avec cela.
This question relates to:French lesson "Meilleur, mieux, pire / plus mauvais, plus mal = better, best, worse and worst in French (irregular comparatives and superlatives)"
Asked 6 years ago
Ron T. Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
Bonsoir Leah,
«Ce film s'est très bien passé» I was satisfied with the film, it went well.
«Ce film m'a plu bien» I was satisfied with the film, it pleased me.
Would you please provide the source for the information you gave?
Merci en avance.
Leah V.Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor
Bonjour Ron,
I found it by googling.... https://frenchtogether.com/bien-bon/
Best,
leah
Chris W. Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
Don't forget that "bien" has acquired also some other meanings apart from being the adverb of the adjective "bon/bonne". It also means, e.g., "many" as in: "Il y a bien des gens." -- There are many people. Or "Je te souhaite bien des choses." -- I wish you all the best.
Then, in conjunction with the verb "être", both options bien and bon are frequently possible and connote a slightly different meaning.
Il est bien -- He is good. Because the adverb "bien" refers to the verb "être".
Il est bon. -- He is a good guy/person/athlete/etc. Here the "bon" refers to a substantive which must be inferred from context.
Another example. Suppose you are invited to a family dinner and, after the meal, you make a compliment and say either:
C'était bien. -- It was good (in the sense that the cooking was great, hence the adverb).
C'était bon. -- It was good (in the sense that "it" refers to the meal, i.e., the meal was good).
I hope this helps to clarify this sometimes confusing issue a bit.
-- Chris (not a native speaker).
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