bon là-dedans
The English phrase "good at it" is translated into French as bon là-dedans.
bon là-dedans is used to describe having a high level of skill or proficiency in a particular activity. For an informal way to say one knows a lot about a specific subject, you can also use the expression S'y connaître en quelque chose.
Did you know?
- The term là-dedans combines là meaning 'there' and dedans meaning 'inside'. It treats a skill or a field of expertise as a physical space that the person has entered.
- In a formal job interview, using bon là-dedans can sound clumsy or too casual, making être doué pour quelque chose the safer choice.
- While 'good at it' is a neutral assessment of skill, using the related word doué shifts the meaning to suggest that the person was born with an innate gift.
Examples in context
- Il sait bien s'y prendreHe knows how to do it well
- Elle est compétente en gestionShe is good at management
- Il est fort en mathématiquesHe is good at mathematics
- Il s'y connaît bien en voituresHe knows a lot about cars
- Elle fait la cuisine à merveilleShe cooks marvelously
- Il est vraiment bon là-dedans.He is really good at it.
- Je ne suis pas très bon là-dedans.I am not very good at it.
Example conversation
Emma and Nathan are talking about playing chess.
- EmmaRegarde comment il joue, il est bon là-dedans.Look at how he plays, he is good at it.
- NathanOui, Nathan a beaucoup pratiqué.Yes, Nathan has practiced a lot.
- EmmaEst-ce que tu es bon là-dedans aussi ?Are you good at it too?
- NathanNon, je suis nul !No, I am terrible!
