bien
/bjɛ̃/adverb★Beginner
general
Well, correctly, or properly (indicates good quality or manner)
Il parle bien français.
He speaks French well.
Tout va bien.
Everything is fine.
informal
Very, quite (intensifier)
C'est bien bon!
It's really good!
formal
Indeed, truly (emphasizes agreement or truth)
Bien sûr, je viendrai.
Of course, I will come.
Collocations
bien sûrof coursebien quealthoughbien mieuxmuch better
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related Phrases
ça va bienphrase
things are going well
en bienphrase
for the better
💡Pro Tip
Context Matters
'Bien' can mean 'well', 'very', or 'indeed' depending on the context. Pay attention to surrounding words and intonation.
⚡Gold Rule
Adverb Placement
In French, 'bien' typically follows the verb or adjective it modifies, unlike English where adverbs often come before.
📖Word Origin
From Old French 'bien', from Latin 'bene', meaning 'well'.
📝Usage Notes
'Bien' is a versatile word that can function as an adverb, adjective, or even a noun in some contexts. Its meaning often depends on context and intonation.
Word Breakdown
bien
good, well
rootDictionnaire Français-Anglais