vouloir le bien
The English phrase "best interest at heart" can be translated into French as vouloir le bien.
This phrase is used to describe acting or making decisions with the intention of promoting someone else's well-being. To specify exactly whom you are acting for, you should use the preposition de followed by the person, such as in the phrase vouloir le bien de ses enfants (to want the best for one's children).
How does it change in a sentence?
When you are referring to a specific person's well-being rather than the general concept of good, you replace the definite article le with a possessive adjective like son, sa or ses. For example, vouloir son bien means to want one's well-being.
Did you know?
- If a French speaker says Je veux ton bien during a disagreement, it can sometimes be perceived as patronizing, suggesting the other person does not know what is best for themselves.
- In French, le bien can refer to someone's welfare or to a physical 'asset' or piece of property. This creates a linguistic link between wishing someone well and wishing them wealth.
- The verb vouloir comes from the Latin 'velle', which is the root of many English words related to 'will', such as 'volition'.
Examples in context
- Lorsque je prends une décision, j'ai toujours l'intérêt supérieur de mes clients à cœur.When making a decision, I always have my clients' best interest at heart.
- Je t'ai toujours dit que j'avais ton bonheur à cœur.I've always told you that I have your happiness at heart.
- En tant que politicien, j'ai toujours l'intérêt supérieur de mes électeurs à cœur.As a politician, I always have my voters' best interest at heart.
- Mon ami, tu sais que j'ai ton bonheur à cœur, donc je te déconseille de signer ce contrat.My friend, you know that I care about your happiness, so I advise you not to sign this contract.
- Je ne fais cela que parce que je veux ton bien.I am only doing this because I want what is best for you.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bien, le, vouloir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
