Bon vs. Bien, the Confusing French Pair

Bon and bien are often confused because they have somewhat similar meanings and they can both be adjectives, adverbs, or nouns. See the summary table at the bottom. Adjectives Bon is usually an adjective. It modifies a noun and means good, suitable, efficient, correct, useful, etc. Bien means good, moral, right, healthy, etc., and can only be used as an adjective with copular (state-of-being) verbs such as à ªtre. Il est bon tudiant. He is a good student. Il est bien comme tudiant.He is a good student. Jai pass une bonne soire. I had a nice evening. a serait bien !That would be good! Il a bon cur. He has a good/kind heart. Trs bien ! Very good! Ce timbre nest pas bon. This stamp is not valid. Je suis bien partout.Im at ease anywhere. Luc est bon pour le service. Luc is fit for (military) service. Ce nest pas bien de dire a.Its not nice to say that. Je le trouve bien.I think its nice. Adverbs of Manner Bien is usually an adverb. It means well or can be used to stress something. Bon, in the rare instances where it is used as an adverb, means good or pleasant. Jai bien dormi. I slept well. Il fait bon ici.Its nice/pleasant here. Il se porte bien. He is in good health. Il fait bon vivre.Its good to be alive. Je vais bien, merci. I am well, thank you. Il fait bon tudier.Its good to study. La radio ne marche pas bien. The radio isnt working right. a sent bon !That smells good! Je le vois bien souvent. I see him quite often. Jai bien dit a. I *did* say that. Nouns Bon can be a noun that refers to any sort of important or official piece of paper: form, bond, coupon, voucher, etc. Bien means good in the general sense, and biens means goods (as opposed to services). un bon vue demand note le bien publicpublic good un bon de caisse cash voucher le bien et le malgood and evil un bon de commande order form dire du bien deto speak well of un bon de livraison delivery slip faire du bien quelquunto do someone good un bon de rduction coupon les biens dun magasina stores goods un bon du Trsor Treasury bond biens immobiliersreal estate En rà ©sumà © Bon Bien adjective good well adverb nice well noun form, bond good(s)