gentillesse
The English phrase 'niceness' is translated into French as gentillesse.
Which one should you use?
Depending on the context, you might choose different words: sympathique and its informal shortening sympa are used to describe people who are nice or friendly. To describe an experience or a person as pleasant, use agréable. If you wish to express a higher sense of benevolence or goodwill, use la bienveillance.
Did you know?
- Using gentil to describe a grown man can sometimes sound condescending, as it is the primary word used to describe a 'good boy' or a well-behaved child.
- The word gentillesse shares an ancestor with the English word 'gentle', but in Old French, it originally referred to someone of noble birth rather than someone with a kind temperament.
- While gentillesse describes a person's nature, French speakers often use the phrase c'est gentil to say 'thank you' when someone does a small favor, effectively replacing the word for 'thanks'.
Examples in context
- J'apprécie beaucoup ta gentillesseI really appreciate your niceness.
- Sa bienveillance est remarquableHis/her kindness is remarkable.
- Elle a une douceur naturelleShe has a natural niceness about her.
- Tu es vraiment sympaYou are really nice.
- C'était une soirée agréableIt was a nice evening.
- Il est vraiment sympathiqueHe is really nice.
- C'est super chouette de ta partThat's really nice of you or That's very kind of you.
- Sa gentillesse me touche beaucoup.His niceness touches me a lot.
- On apprécie votre gentillesse.We appreciate your niceness.
- La gentillesse est une grande qualité.Niceness is a great quality.
Example conversation
Léa thanks Gabriel for helping her with a heavy bag.
- LéaMerci d'avoir porté mon sac, Gabriel.Thank you for carrying my bag, Gabriel.
- GabrielCe n'est rien, Léa.It's nothing, Léa.
- LéaJ'apprécie vraiment ta gentillesse.I really appreciate your niceness.
- GabrielJe t'en prie !You're welcome!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gentillesse, CC BY-SA 4.0.
