c'est bon
To say something is good in French, meaning it tastes pleasant or feels good, use c'est bon.
c'est bon describes a pleasant sensation such as taste or touch. It is also used for things that work out well, as in C'est bon pour moi. In conversation it can mean that's enough or stop, for example when someone is pouring you a drink.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a contraction of ce, meaning this or that and est, meaning is, followed by the adjective bon, meaning good.
Which one should you use?
c'est bon is for sensations like taste or touch. For a judgment of quality or correctness, French uses a different expression. Est satisfaisant means is satisfactory or adequate and sounds formal.
How does it change in a sentence?
When the subject is a feminine noun rather than ce, the adjective agrees, so is good becomes est bonne. The negative form of c'est bon is ce n'est pas bon.
Did you know?
- While c'est bon describes a pleasant sensation, using c'est bien to describe food can imply the quality of the cooking or a moral judgment rather than the taste.
- The word bon is a direct descendant of the Latin word bonus, which passed through Old French before reaching its modern form.
- While c'est bon describes physical sensations, using it to mean 'that is a good idea' or 'that is a high-quality thing' can sound strange to a native speaker, as it sounds like you are describing the taste or feel of an idea.
Examples in context
- C'est bon pour moi.That is good to me.C'est bon pour moi means that something suits you.Tatoeba #7388 by RaspaKrusto, translation #1121356 by cntrational
- C'est bon à savoir.This is good to know.C'est bon à savoir is a common way to say this is good to know.Tatoeba #5754085 by Yemana, translation #5752353 by CM
- C'est bon pour nous.This is good for us.C'est bon pour nous says something is good for a group.Tatoeba #8328210 by Aiji, translation #5001398 by CK
- Le repas est bon.The meal is good.
- Cette offre est formidable.This offer is fantastic.
- Ce film est top.This film is great.
- Ton travail est super.Your work is awesome.
- La soirée était pas mal.The evening was pretty good.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Emma are sharing a piece of chocolate cake.
- NathanTu en penses quoi ?What do you think of it?
- EmmaOh, c'est bon !Oh, it is good!
- NathanTu veux un autre morceau ?Do you want another piece?
- EmmaOui, s'il te plaît.Yes, please.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bon, c'est, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
