c'est bon
To say it is good in French, use c'est bon. It describes something that tastes good or feels pleasant.
c'est bon is used for sensory pleasure such as taste or touch, and also in phrases like it is good to see you.
What does it mean word for word?
c' is a short form of ce (it or this), est means is and bon means good.
Which one should you use?
C'est excellent means it is excellent. C'est cool is a casual way to say it is good or cool. C'est génial means it is fabulous or awesome. For an action, a situation or a moral quality, French speakers use a different adjective that means good or well.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often use c'est bon to mean it is a good idea or a good situation. For judging an idea or an action, use the other adjective instead of bon.
Did you know?
- If you use c'est bon to describe a person's character or a moral action, you might accidentally imply they are sexually appealing or physically delicious.
- Depending on the tone, c'est bon can be used as a way to tell someone to stop doing something or to say 'that's enough'.
- In a store or restaurant, a server might ask c'est bon ? not to ask if the food tastes good, but to check if your order is correct and complete.
Examples in context
- C'est bon de te voir.It is good to see you.Here C'est bon is followed by de te voir to say it is good to see you.Tatoeba #823650 by sacredceltic, translation #1587304 by Spamster
- C'est bon d'être un gagneur.It is good to be a winner.Here C'est bon introduces being a winner.Tatoeba #483889 by sacredceltic, translation #267379 by CK
- Je ne sais pas si c'est bon.I don't know if it is good.Here c'est bon comes after a phrase meaning I don't know if.Tatoeba #2225932 by Rovo, translation #43075 by CC
- C'est bon d'être ici.It is good to be here.
- Le film que j'ai vu était vraiment cool.The movie I watched was really good.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Emma are eating a chocolate cake at a cafe.
- NathanTu aimes ce gâteau ?Do you like this cake?
- EmmaOui, c'est bon !Yes, it is good!
- NathanJe suis d'accord, c'est délicieux.I agree, it is delicious.
- EmmaOn en reprend un morceau ?Should we have another piece?
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
