ça a l'air bien
In French, the phrase 'it looks good' is translated as ça a l'air bien.
The phrase ça a l'air bien is used to say that something seems appealing or promising based on its appearance.
Which one should you use?
Use ça a l'air bien when referring to the quality or promise of a situation. Use ça a l'air bon when you are specifically referring to the sensory appeal of something, such as the taste or smell of food.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use ça a l'air bien if you are specifically referring to the taste of food. Instead, use ça a l'air bon.
Did you know?
- If you want to say something 'looks good' on a person, such as an outfit, you would not use ça a l'air bien. You would instead say ça te va bien, which translates to 'that suits you well'.
- The word bien in this phrase traces back to the Latin 'bene', making it a direct linguistic cousin to the English word 'benefit'.
- While English uses 'looks' to describe appearance, the French phrase ça a l'air bien uses the verb 'avoir' (to have) and the noun 'air' (look or appearance/manner). Literally, you are saying 'that has the air of being well'.
Examples in context
- Ça a l'air bien.It looks good.This sentence shows the basic way to say 'It looks good'.Tatoeba #1808957 by sacredceltic, translation #1808249 by Spamster
- Sur le papier, ça a l'air bien.It looks good on paper.This sentence is useful for expressing that something 'looks good on paper'.Tatoeba #4992653 by sacredceltic, translation #2780004 by Hybrid
- L'exposition d'art semble bonne.The art exhibition looks good.
- Ta nouvelle robe est vraiment jolie!Your new dress looks really nice!
- Ce nouveau projet, ça a l'air bien.This new project, it looks good.
Example conversation
Manon and Gabriel are looking at a menu in a restaurant.
- ManonRegarde ce plat, ça a l'air bien !Look at this dish, it looks good!
- GabrielC'est vrai, je vais prendre ça.True, I'll take that.
- ManonMoi aussi, je suis tentée.Me too, I'm tempted.
- GabrielOn commande maintenant ?Shall we order now?
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, bien, ça, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
