positif
/po.zi.tif/
The English phrase "positive" (meaning favorable or desirable) is translated into French as positif.
The adjective positif is used to describe things that are favorable, beneficial or desirable.
Meaning: favorable, desirable (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the adjective changes based on the gender and number of the noun it describes. The masculine singular form is positif, the feminine singular form is positive, the masculine plural form is positifs and the feminine plural form is positives.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /po.zi.tif/ and consists of 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- In French, if a doctor tells you that a test result is positif, it is often bad news, as it confirms the presence of a disease.
- The word positif comes from the Latin word positīvus, meaning 'placed' or 'fixed'.
- If a medical test result is positive, a French speaker will say le résultat est positif, but if they are talking about a 'positive vibe', they are more likely to use une bonne ambiance.
Examples in context
- Vois le côté positif!Look at the positive side!This sentence is useful for practicing the use of positif when talking about a 'positive side'.Tatoeba #5790279 by Knabacxo, translation #5790278 by Knabacxo
- Je suis encore positif.I'm still positive.This sentence is useful for practicing how to say you are still positif.Tatoeba #5761534 by Thomz, translation #5757498 by CM
- Il faut rester positif.You have to stay positive.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase 'to stay positive' using positif.Tatoeba #13394838 by lbdx, translation #3185143 by CK
- Il a une attitude positiveHe has a positive attitude
- Elle est très optimiste quant à l'avenirShe is very optimistic about the future
- Le succès de son projet est très encourageantThe success of his/her project is very encouraging
- J'ai reçu des critiques constructivesI received constructive criticism
- La lecture est bénéfique pour le développement personnelReading is beneficial for personal development
- Il est vraiment sympaHe is really nice
- C'était une soirée superIt was a great evening
- Le concert était génial!The concert was fantastic!
- Ta nouvelle voiture est vraiment coolYour new car is really cool!
- Ce film était vraiment chouetteThis movie was really great!
- 38 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Emma are discussing the outcome of a project.
- EmmaLe résultat est positif, Lucas.The result is positive, Lucas.
- LucasC'est une nouvelle très positive pour nous.That is very positive news for us.
- EmmaJe suis ravie de cette réponse positive.I am delighted with this positive response.
- LucasMoi aussi, je suis très content.Me too, I am very happy.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry positif, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries positif, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
