c'est bon
The English phrase "it tastes good" is translated into French as c'est bon.
c'est bon is used to say that food or drink has a pleasant flavor.
Which one should you use?
While c'est bon can mean "it tastes good", it is also the standard way to say "it is good" in a general sense. Use c'est délicieux to express a higher level of enjoyment or to say something is delicious, whereas c'est bon is more common for everyday pleasantness.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In France, you may hear the expression C'est bon à se damner. which means "It's so good it's sinful".
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the verb 'goûter' (to taste) to say "it tastes good" by saying ça goûte bon, but in French, c'est bon is the natural way to express this.
Did you know?
- In some French-speaking regions, people use c'est bon to mean 'that is enough'. For example, if someone is pouring you water, saying c'est bon tells them to stop.
- While c'est bon describes the flavor of food, using the phrase c'est bien to describe a meal is generally incorrect. c'est bien refers to a moral or functional quality, implying the food is 'correct' or 'satisfactory' rather than tasty.
- The word bon is a direct descendant of the Latin word bonus, which also gave English the word 'bonus'.
Examples in context
- C'est bon, merci !It tastes good, thank you!
- Oh là là, c'est bon !Oh wow, it tastes good!
- Tu trouves que c'est bon ?Do you think it tastes good?
Example conversation
Hugo and Emma are eating a cake together.
- HugoTu aimes le gâteau, Emma ?Do you like the cake, Emma?
- EmmaOui, c'est bon !Yes, it tastes good!
- HugoC'est moi qui l'ai fait.I made it myself.
- EmmaBravo Hugo, c'est vraiment bon.Well done Hugo, it really tastes good.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bon, c'est, CC BY-SA 4.0.
