bien
Il parle très bien le français.
He speaks French very well.
In a good or satisfactory manner; correctly.
Elle chante bien.
She sings well.
Used to describe actions performed correctly or satisfactorily.
To a great extent; very much.
Je suis bien content de te voir.
I am very happy to see you.
Often used to intensify adjectives or adverbs.
Healthy; in good condition.
Je me sens bien aujourd'hui.
I feel well today.
Refers to physical or mental health.
A good thing; something good.
C'est un bien.
It's a good thing.
Used as a noun to refer to something beneficial.
Collocations
Antonyms
Pro Tip
Positioning
Bien typically follows the verb it modifies (e.g., 'Il chante bien'). For emphasis, it can precede the verb (e.g., 'Bien ! Tu as réussi !').
Gold Rule
Adverb vs. Adjective
Bien functions as an adverb when modifying verbs or adjectives (e.g., 'Il parle bien français'). It functions as an adjective when referring to health or possessions (e.g., 'Je suis bien aujourd'hui').
Word Origin
From Old French 'bien', from Latin 'bene' (well), from 'bonus' (good).
Usage Notes
Bien is a versatile adverb/adjective/noun. As an adverb, it modifies verbs (e.g., 'bien chanter'), adjectives (e.g., 'très bien'), or other adverbs. As a noun, it often refers to possessions or goods ('les biens').