mauvaise qualité
In French, 'poor quality' is expressed as mauvaise qualité.
The phrase mauvaise qualité is used to describe something that is badly made or not of a high standard.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adjective mauvaise (bad) and the noun qualité (quality).
Which one should you use?
The antonym for 'mauvaise qualité' is haute qualité (high quality). For more specific nuances, you can use piètre to convey that something is of meager or low quality or médiocre to mean 'mediocre'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The interjection bof is commonly heard in informal conversations in France to express indifference or disappointment, often indicating poor quality.
How does it change in a sentence?
When saying something is 'of' poor quality, you must use the preposition de before the phrase. When used with an indefinite article, the phrase une mauvaise qualité can refer to a specific negative trait or flaw in a person's character.
Did you know?
- The sound bof is a linguistic shortcut that can replace the entire phrase c'est de mauvaise qualité when paired with a classic French shrug.
- To describe someone with a pathetic lack of skill, French speakers use piètre, which is an archaic survivor of an old word for 'poor'.
- In French, the adjective médiocre often carries a harsher connotation than its English counterpart, implying a complete lack of merit rather than just being 'middle of the road'.
Examples in context
- C'est de mauvaise qualité.It is of poor quality.This sentence demonstrates how to use the phrase with the preposition de to say something is of poor quality.Tatoeba #8322298 by Julien_PDC, translation #8397080 by marioo
- Ce produit est de mauvaise qualitéThis product is of poor quality
- Sa prestation était médiocreHis/her performance was mediocre
- Ce film est nulThis film is no good
- Le repas était médiocreThe meal was mediocre
- La qualité de cet article n'est pas terribleThe quality of this article is not great
- Cette vieille chaise tombe en miettesThis old chair is falling apart
- Le spectacle était bofThe show was meh
- J'ai acheté cette robe en ligne, mais elle est de mauvaise qualitéI bought this dress online, but it's of poor quality
- La performance du chanteur lors du concert était médiocreThe singer's performance at the concert was mediocre
- La musique de ce groupe est vraiment nulleThis band's music is really no good
- Les résultats de l'équipe ne sont pas terribles cette saisonThe team's results are not great this season
- Mon ancien téléphone portable est tombé en miettes après seulement quelques moisMy old cell phone fell apart after just a few months
- Les avis sur ce livre étaient mitigés, je l'ai trouvé plutôt bofThe reviews for this book were mixed, I found it rather meh
- Ce tissu est de mauvaise qualité.This fabric is of poor quality.
- Je n'aime pas ce jouet de mauvaise qualité.I don't like this poor quality toy.
Example conversation
Emma and Gabriel are looking at a cheap shirt in a store.
- EmmaRegarde ce t-shirt, Gabriel.Look at this t-shirt, Gabriel.
- GabrielIl a l'air d'être de mauvaise qualité.It looks like it is of poor quality.
- EmmaTu as raison, le tissu est trop fin.You are right, the fabric is too thin.
- GabrielOn devrait chercher un autre modèle.We should look for another model.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
