mauvaises notes
The phrase "bad grades" in French is mauvaises notes.
The phrase refers to low marks or poor scores received on school assignments or exams. In common French usage, you use the verb avoir (to have) to express this idea, rather than the verbs for "get" or "receive." For example, to say one "has bad grades," you would say avoir de mauvaises notes.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the feminine plural adjective mauvaises (bad) and the feminine plural noun notes (marks/grades/notes).
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of the phrase is une mauvaise note. In the plural, when used with an indefinite article in a negative or indefinite sense, the article des changes to de before the adjective, resulting in de mauvaises notes.
Did you know?
- Students often use the slang term une sale note to describe a particularly terrible grade. While sale literally means 'dirty', in this context it acts as an intensifier for 'bad'.
- In France, teachers often use a scale from 0 to 20 rather than a percentage or a letter grade. A student with a 10/20 might feel they have 'mauvaises notes' even though 10 is technically a passing mark.
- In French, 'notes' can also refer to musical notes, meaning a musician who plays poorly might also be described as having 'mauvaises notes' in a punny sense.
Examples in context
- Tu n'as que de mauvaises notes parce que tu ne fais pas attention en cours.You only get bad grades because you don't pay attention in class.This sentence is useful for showing the connection between not paying attention in class and receiving mauvaises notes.Tatoeba #13911477 by Ioan_Cristian, translation #13911476 by Ioan_Cristian
- J'ai de mauvaises notes en mathématiques cette année.I have bad grades in mathematics this year.
- Mes résultats sont médiocres en français.My results are mediocre in French.
- Mes résultats sont nuls en géographie.My results are terrible in geography.
- Je me suis planté(e) aux examens de sciences.I failed the science exams.
- Il a eu de mauvaises notes ce trimestre.He had bad grades this term.
- Je déteste recevoir de mauvaises notes en mathématiques.I hate receiving bad grades in math.
Example conversation
Léa and Lucas are talking about their recent school results.
- LéaEst-ce que tu as eu de mauvaises notes à l'examen ?Did you get bad grades on the exam?
- LucasOui, j'ai eu de mauvaises notes en histoire.Yes, I got bad grades in history.
- LéaNe t'inquiète pas, Lucas, ça va aller.Don't worry, Lucas, it will be fine.
- LucasMerci Léa, je vais travailler plus dur.Thanks Léa, I will work harder.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
