you can at least try

But when the least is used as a quantifier to mean the slightest it is translated by le or la moindre: I haven't the least idea = je n'en ai pas la moindre idée

For examples of these and particular usages see I below

For translations of least as a pronoun or adverb see II and III below

The phrase at least is usually translated by au moins

For examples and exceptions see IV below

[liːst] 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

li:st
1. adjective, pronoun
2. adverb - not in the least

I liːst
II

III
[liːst] of little last I, 3., 1), line I, 1., 11) of little II, 1., 1)
I [liːst]
II

III

1. adjective 2. noun 3. adverb [li:st] 1. adjective, pronoun 2. adverb - not in the least [liːst] 1. adjective 2. noun 3. adverb

I [kæn] II 1. [kæn] 2. 3.

عَلَى \ against: touching (usually sth. upright): The rain beat against the window. He pressed his nose against the glass. on: showing where sb. or sth. is placed: He lay on his back on the bed. The picture hung on a nail on the wall. Your name is on the list. He hit me on the nose. The boat is on the river (in the water). The house is on the river (beside the water), as in the previous meaning, but with movement (often with to) He jumped on (to) his horse. The book fell on (to) the floor. onto: on to: He sprang onto the table. over: lying across; resting on; covering: A cloud was over the sun. She spread a cloth over the table, across the surface of Ships sail over the sea, above (in rank, etc.) He rules over a proud people, about; concerning They quarrelled over the resutl of the race. You need not hurry over your dinner. upon: on. \ عَلَى \ on shore, ashore: on dry land; not on the sea; on or to the shore: Sailors are unhappy ashore. We swam ashore from the boat. \ See Also نَحْوَ البَرّ، اليابسة (اليَابِسَة)‏ \ عَلَى \ ashore: on or to the shore: Sailors are unhappy ashore. We swam ashore from the boat. on shore, ashore: on dry land; not on the sea. \ See Also نَحْوَ الشّاطِئ \ عَلَى اتِّصَال (عكس مُنْقَطع عن)‏ \ in touch: (the opposite is out of touch) giving or receiving news: I’ve been in touch with my brother by telephone. The radio keeps us in touch with world events. \ عَلَى أتَمّ ما يكُون من التَّرتيب والهِنْدام \ spick and span: (as a predic. phrase) neat, clean and bright: Sailors usually keep their boats spick and span. \ عَلَى الأَثير \ on the air: being sent out on the radio or television. \ عَلَى أَحْسَن وَجْه \ best, well, better: in the best way: Peter played best last week. \ عَلَى أرْبَع \ on all fours: on hands and knees: She went down on all fours to look for the needle. \ عَلَى الأرض \ over: from an upright (or straight) position to a flat (or bent) position: I fell over. He knocked me over. She bent over to pick it up. \ عَلَى استعداد \ content: willing: I’m content to wait for my turn. \ عَلَى أشُدِّه \ in full swing: (of an activity) at its highest point; very busy: The party was in full swing when I arrived. \ عَلَى الإطلاق \ little: (coming just before the verb) not at all: I little knew (or Little did I know) that next day he would be dead. not in the least: not at all: It doesn’t matter in the least. whatever: at all: I have no money whatever. whatsoever: a strong form of whatever; at all: Tell him nothing whatsoever!. \ عَلَى الأَغْلَب \ for the most part: mostly: He is old and for the most part he stays at home. \ عَلَى أَقْصَى ما تستطيع رؤيتَه \ in the distance: far away (from the point where one is): In the distance he could see the mountains. \ عَلَى الأَقَلّ \ a good: (with numbers) at least: He lives a good 3 miles away. at least: (showing that sth. is true, necessary, etc., even if sth. else is not) in spite of what has just been said or is just going to be said: He may be lazy but at least he’s honest. You can at least be polite even if you don’t like him, not less than It cost at least $100. quite: at least; not less than: The journey took quite three hours. \ عَلَى الأَكثَر \ largely: mostly: The accident was largely his own fault. mainly: chiefly; mostly. \ عَلَى انفِراد \ private: (only in the phrase in private) privately; where nobody can hear except those concerned: May I speak to you in private. \ عَلَى أُهْبَة الاستعداد \ stand by: to be ready, in case one may be needed: The soldiers were told to stand by. \ عَلَى أَيّ حال \ anyhow: in any case: I don’t really need this; anyhow, it costs too much. anyway: in any case: I may be late; anyway, don’t wait for me, in any case I don’t really need this; anyhow, it costs too much. at all events, in any event: in any case; whatever may happen or has happened: He didn’t win but, at all events, he did try hard. at any rate: at least; in any case: He wasn’t there; at any rate, I don’t think he was. I may not succeed; but I’ll try, at any rate. in any case: no matter what else may be considered, anyhow: It costs too much. In any case, I don’t really need it. \ عَلَى أيَّة حال \ all the same, at the same time: (only at the start of a sentence; comparing points that are for and against) in spite of this: He’s not clever; all the same, he does try hard. however: all the same; in spite of what has just been said: I’m very tired; however, I’ll come and help you. \ عَلَى بُعد \ away: at a distance: Brighton is 60 miles away. Keep away from the wet paint. beyond: further; on or to the farther side: I looked across the river to the hills beyond. \ عَلَى التَّخْصِيص \ in particular: especially: I enjoyed his first song in particular. \ عَلَى التَّوَالي \ respectively: separately, in that order: Boys and girls will be examined on Monday and Tuesday respectively (the boys on Monday, the girls on Tuesday). \ عَلَى جَانِب \ up: along (up and down are both used like this, although the course may be quite level): He lives just up the road. \ عَلَى الجميع \ round: to everyone: He handed the coffee round. There were not enough cups to go round. \ عَلَى حَدٍّ \ as far as, so far as: (showing a limit): As far as I know, he’s not here. \ عَلَى حَدٍّ سَواء \ alike: in the same way: He treats us all alike. \ عَلَى حَدِّ عِلْمي \ to the best knowledge: as far as I know: To the best of my knowledge, he is honest (I have no reason to doubt his honesty). \ عَلَى حِدَة \ private: (only in the phrase in private) privately; where nobody can hear except those concerned: May I speak to you in private?. separate: not joined or shared; apart: Keep the new milk separate from the old. \ عَلَى حَقّ (مُحِقّ)‏ \ be in the right: not be at fault: Although they said she’d made a mistake, they discovered she was in the right. \ عَلَى حِين غِرَّة \ all of a sudden: in a sudden manner. suddenly: in a sudden manner: The door opened suddenly. \ عَلَى خَطَأ \ in the wrong: mistaken (in one’s judgement, behaviour etc.). \ عَلَى الدَّوام \ always: at all times. \ عَلَى رؤوس الأصابِع \ on tiptoe: on the tips of one’s toes: I can reach that if I stand on tiptoe. \ عَلَى الرّاجح \ likely: (usu. with very, most, more or quite) probably: She’s very likely right. \ عَلَى الرُّغْم مِن \ despite: in spite of: Despite his age, the old man walks several miles every day. for all: in spite of: For all his strength, he could not lift it. much as: although: Much as I admire him, I could not work with him. spite, in spite of: (of sth. that fails) even with: In spite of his efforts, he could not save her life, without regard to; not caring about (a difficulty) In spite of his illness, he attended the ceremony. \ عَلَى الرُّغْم مِنْ أَنَّ \ although: in spite of the fact that; (without a verb) in spite of being: Although (he was) ill, he went to work. \ عَلَى الرُّغْم من ذلك \ even so: in spite of that: He may be foolish; even so, you should help him. just the same: (showing one thing that is not the natural result of another) in spite of this: He’s a thief, but I like him just the same. nevertheless: in spite of that: I told him it would be dangerous, but nevertheless he did it. still: in spite of that: We rarely win; but still, we enjoy playing. \ عَلَى سَبيل المِثال \ for instance: as an example: He’s often late. Yesterday, for instance, he came home after midnight. \ عَلَى السَّطح كلِّه \ over: (esp. with all) across a surface: The table was wet all over. He rubbed it over with a dry cloth. \ عَلَى سَوِيَّة \ level: equal in height or position: His eyes were level with my shoulder. I soon drew level with the leading runner. \ عَلَى سَوِيَّة \ flush: exactly on a level with; not sticking out from; meeting exactly at the edges: The door is flush with the wall when it is closed. \ See Also مستوى (مُسْتَوًى)‏ \ عَلَى سَوِيَّة واحدة \ even: equal: The table legs were not of even length. He shared the money evenly among them. \ عَلَى شاكِلَة \ like: the same as: What is he like (in appearance and character)? He’s just like his father., What does it feel (or look or taste or smell or sound) like?. in the same way as:: He swims like a fish. \ عَلَى شَرْط \ provide (that), also providing (that): if; on condition that: I’ll go, provided (that) you’ll go too. \ عَلَى شَفَا \ on the brink of: close to (sth. dangerous or exciting): on the brink of war. on the point of doing sth.: starting to do sth.: I was on the point of telephoning you, when I got your letter. on one’s last legs: (of a person or thing) not expected to last much longer; worn out; almost in ruins: That company is on its last legs. on the verge of: close to: She was on the verge of tears. \ See Also شفير (الموت أو الإفلاس، إلخ)، عَلى وَشْك \ عَلَى صَهْوَةِ الجَوَاد \ on horseback: on a horse: He travelled on horseback. \ عَلَى ضِغْن \ grudgingly: unwillingly. \ See Also على غير رَغْبَة \ عَلَى طُولِ \ along: following the line of: He ran along the road. down: along (without regard to level): We raced down the street. My friend lives just down the road. \ عَلَى ظَهْر \ on deck: on an uncovered deck, in the open air. \ See Also سَطْح السفينة \ عَلَى ظَهْر الحِصان \ on horseback: on a horse: He travelled on horseback. \ عَلَى ظَهْر السَّفينة \ on board: on (or on to) a ship or aeroplane: There are 70 men on board. Can I go on board the aircraft?. \ عَلَى ظَهْر الصَّفْحَة \ overleaf: on the back of the page: Please fill in this paper, and sign your name overleaf. \ عَلَى عَرْض \ across: over; from one side to the other of: He ran across the street. There is a bridge across the stream. \ عَلَى العَكْس \ on the contrary: (expressing disagreement) the opposite is true: It’s not worn out - on the contrary, it’s quite new. \ عَلَى عِلْم بِـ \ familiar with: knowing; accustomed to: I’m not familiar with English law. \ عَلَى عُلُوّ \ high: (in compounds) to the height of: The grass was waist-high. \ عَلَى الغالِب \ probably: almost certainly; with little doubt: You’re probably right. \ عَلَى غَيْر انتظار \ surprisingly: unexpectedly: a surprisingly good result. \ عَلَى غَيْر رَغْبَة \ grudgingly: unwillingly. \ عَلَى غَيْر هُدًى \ adrift: (of boats) loose; floating about with no control: Our ship was wrecked and we were left adrift in a small boat on the ocean. \ عَلَى فَتَرات مُنْتَظِمة \ periodically: from time to time. \ عَلَى فَرض أنّ \ (conj.) supposing: if: Supposing he’s late, shall we wait for him? Even supposing the lorry comes, it will still be too late. \ عَلَى الفِطْرة \ na]ve: too simple to be sensible; lacking wisdom and experience: a na]ve question; a na]ve young girl. \ عَلَى فِكْرَة \ by the way: used to show that the speaker is about to change the subject: Thank you for your help. By the way, would you like to come to our party next week?. \ عَلَى الفَوْر \ directly: at once: He arrived directly after me. instantly: at once. off-hand: without thought or preparation: I can’t say off-hand what it cost, but it was over $1000. \ عَلَى قافية واحدة \ rhyme: (of word endings) to have the same sound: ‘Consideration’ rhymes with ‘nation’, ‘Port’ rhymes with ‘thought’. ‘Pleasure’ rhymes with ‘measure’ but not with ‘pressure’. \ عَلَى قَدْر \ according to: in the proper way for; depending on: Each man was paid according to his skill. \ عَلَى قَدَم وَسَاق \ in full swing: (of an activity) at its highest point; very busy: The party was in full swing when I arrived. \ عَلَى قَيْد الحَيَاة \ alive: living: He was buried alive when part of a cliff fell on him. \ عَلَى كُلّ حال \ at any rate: at least; in any case: He wasn’t there; at any rate, I don’t think he was. I may not succeed; but I’ll try, at any rate. \ عَلَى مَا يَبْدُو \ apparently: it seems (from what people say): I thought she was 15, but apparently is older. \ عَلَى ما يَصِل إليه عِلْمي \ to the best of my knowledge: as far as I know: To the best of my knowledge, my son has never met her. \ See Also على مَبْلَغ علمي \ عَلَى المَدَى الطَّويل \ in the long run: after a period of time; in the end: It’ll be cheaper in the long run to buy good quality shoes. \ عَلَى مسؤوليَّته الشخصيّة \ at one’s own risk: agreeing that any troube will be one’s own fault: The bridge is unsafe but you can cross it at your own risk. \ عَلَى مسافة قريبة مِن \ off: a short distance from: an island off the English coast. \ عَلَى مُسْتَوًى \ level: equal in height or position: His eyes were level with my shoulder. \ عَلَى مِصْرَاعَيْه (فَتَحَ الباب)‏ \ wide: (with open) fully: open the door wide. Leave it wide open. \ عَلَى نَحْو مماثِل \ similarly: in the same way: They were similarly dressed. \ عَلَى نَسَق \ on the lines of: in the general form of: We’re planning some sports on the lines of the Olympic Games, but for schoolboys only. \ عَلَى نَفْس الوَتيرة \ even: (of movement) regular; steady: Her heart was not beating evenly. \ عَلَى نَوبات \ fits and starts: in short bursts; starting and stopping: The engine only goes in fits and starts. \ See Also فترات \ عَلَى هذا المُعَدَّل \ at that rate: if those conditions continue: He keeps stopping for a rest; at that rate, he won’t finish the job today. \ عَلَى هذا النَّحْو \ so: in this way; in that way: Don’t shout so!. thus: in this way. \ عَلَى الهَوَاء \ on the air: being sent out on the radio or television. \ عَلَى وَتِيرَة واحدة \ monotonous: (of a voice, a job, a way of life, etc.) dull, never changing and therefore uninteresting. \ عَلَى وَجْهٍ \ unusually: (with an adj.) very; strangely: It is unusually cold in here today. \ See Also بشكل غير عاديّ \ عَلَى وَجْهِ التَّقْريب \ roughly: (with numbers and amounts) not exactly; about: roughly 50 trees; roughly a mile away. \ عَلَى وَجْهِ الخُصُوص \ particularly: especially: a particularly nasty smell. \ عَلَى الوَجهِ الصحيح \ duly: properly; as expected: The bill was duly paid. The train duly arrived. \ عَلَى وَجْهِ العُمُوم \ in general: in most cases: Men in general are taller than women. \ عَلَى وَجْهٍ ما \ somehow: in some way or other, by some means or other: I’ll pay for it somehow, even if I have to ask someone to lend me the money. \ عَلَى وَجْهٍ مُسْتَهْجَن \ oddly: strangely: She behaved very oddly last night. \ عَلَى مِقْدار عِلْمي \ for all I know: as far as I know: For all I know, you may have stolen this. \ عَلَى مَقْرُبةٍ \ near: close to, in position: His house is near my own. \ عَلَى مَقرُبة مِن \ about: around; near There’s a lot of illness about. I went out early, when no one was about (when no one else was out). \ عَلَى مَهْل \ leisurely: without haste: He likes a leisurely walk in the evening. \ عَلَى نَحْو أسوأ \ worse: more bad; more badly: Murder is worse than stealing. It is a worse crime. You write even worse than I do. \ عَلَى نَحْوٍ أَفْضَل \ better, well, best: in a better way: He drives better than I do. \ عَلَى نَحْو تامّ \ strictly: exactly: Strictly speaking (If I tell you the exact truth) this ticket is out of date; but I’ll let you travel with it. \ See Also كامل (كامِل)‏ \ عَلَى نَحْو خَطير \ badly: seriously: He was badly wounded. \ عَلَى نَحْو رَخْو \ loosely: in a loose way: a loosely tied knot. \ See Also غير مُحْكَم \ عَلَى نَحْو رَدِيء \ badly: in a bad manner: badly dressed; badly made. \ عَلَى نَحْو صارم \ strictly: very firmly: Smoking in this cinema is strictly forbidden. \ See Also دَقيق \ عَلَى نَحْو صَحيح \ right: correctly: You guessed right. \ عَلَى نَحْو صَحيح \ rightly: justly; correctly: You acted rightly. \ See Also ملائم (مُلائم)‏ \ عَلَى نَحْوٍ كَامِل \ absolutely: without conditions: You must agree absolutely and not to try to change matters later. \ عَلَى نَحو مألوف \ ordinarily: usually. \ عَلَى نَحْو مُرْضٍ \ well: (the adv. form of the adj. good; see better, best) in a good and pleasing way: Well done! You played very well. \ عَلَى نَحْو مُلحّ \ badly: (with need, want) very much: They need money badly. \ عَلَى وَشْك \ on the point of doing sth.: starting to do sth.: I was on the point of telephoning you, when I got your letter. \ عَلَى وَشْك أَنْ \ be about to do sth.: to be ready to do it; be just going to do it: I was about to go when he arrived. on the verge of: close to: She was on the verge of tears. \ عَلَى يَد (مِن قِبَل)‏ \ by: (showing who or what did sth.): He was bitten by a dog. \ عَلَى اليدين والرِّجلين \ on all fours: on hands and knees: She went down on all fours to look for the needle.

   a. ( = de façon satisfaisante) well

• nous avons bien travaillé aujourd'hui we've done some good work today

• cette porte ne ferme pas bien this door doesn't shut properly

• la télé ne marche pas bien the TV isn't working properly

• il s'habille bien he dresses well

• il parle bien l'anglais he speaks good English

• il a bien pris mes remarques he took my remarks quite well

• il s'y est bien pris he went about it the right way

• si je me rappelle bien if I remember rightly

• ni bien ni mal so-so (inf)

• pour bien faire il faudrait partir maintenant we really ought to leave now

► aller bien to be well

• comment vas-tu ? -- très bien merci how are you? -- fine, thanks

   b. ( = selon la morale, la raison) [se conduire, agir] well

• il pensait bien faire he thought he was doing the right thing

• vous avez bien fait you did the right thing

• il a bien fait de partir he was quite right to go

• faire bien les choses to do things properly

• vous faites bien de me le dire ! you did well to tell me!

• ça commence à bien faire ! (inf) this is getting beyond a joke!

   c. ( = sans difficulté) [supporter, se rappeler] well

• on comprend très bien pourquoi you can easily understand why

• il peut très bien le faire he's perfectly capable of doing it

   d. (exprimant le degré) ( = très) very ; ( = beaucoup) very much ; ( = trop) rather

• bien mieux much better

• bien souvent quite often

• nous sommes bien contents de vous voir we're very glad to see you

• bien plus heureux much happier

• bien plus cher much more expensive

• nous avons bien ri we had a good laugh

• les enfants se sont bien amusés the children had a great time

• elle est bien jeune pour se marier she is very young to be getting married

• il me paraît bien sûr de lui he seems to be very sure of himself to me

   e. ( = effectivement) definitely

• j'avais bien dit que je ne viendrais pas I definitely said that I wouldn't come

• je trouve bien que c'est un peu cher mais tant pis yes, it is rather expensive but never mind

• c'est bien à ton frère que je pensais yes, it was your brother I was thinking of

• c'est bien mon manteau ? this is my coat, isn't it?

• il s'agit bien de ça ! as if that's the point!

• voilà bien les femmes ! that's women for you!

   f. ( = correctement) écoute-moi bien listen to me carefully

• regardez bien ce qu'il va faire watch what he does carefully

• dis-lui bien que... make sure you tell him that...

• mets-toi bien en face stand directly opposite

• percez un trou bien au milieu drill a hole right in the centre

• tiens-toi bien droit stand quite straight

• c'est bien compris ? is that quite clear?

• il arrivera bien à se débrouiller he'll manage all right

• j'espère bien ! I should hope so!

• où peut-il bien être ? where on earth can he be?

• bien à vous (dans une lettre) yours

   g. ( = malgré tout) il fallait bien que ça se fasse it just had to be done

• il pourrait bien venir nous voir de temps en temps ! he could at least come and see us now and then!

   h. ( = volontiers) (après un verbe au conditionnel) je mangerais bien un morceau I'd like a bite to eat

• j'irais bien mais j'ai cours I'd like to go but I've got a class

• je voudrais bien t'y voir ! I'd like to see you try!

• je te verrais bien en jaune I think you'd look good in yellow

   i. ( = au moins) at least

• il y a bien trois jours que je ne l'ai pas vu I haven't seen him for at least three days

   j. (locutions)

► bien du, bien de la, bien des a lot of

• elle a eu bien du mal à le trouver she had a lot of difficulty finding it

• ils ont eu bien de la chance they had a lot of luck

• je connais bien des gens qui auraient protesté I know a lot of people who would have protested► bien que although

• bien que je ne puisse pas venir although I can't come► bien sûr of course

• bien sûr qu'il viendra ! of course he'll come!

2. <

   a. ( = satisfaisant) good

• elle est très bien comme secrétaire she's a very good secretary

• ce serait bien s'il venait it would be good if he came

► bien ! (approbation) good! ; (pour changer de sujet, par exaspération) all right!

   b. (travail scolaire) good

• assez bien quite good

• très bien very good

   c. ( = en bonne forme) well

• je me sens bien I feel well

• je ne me sens pas bien I don't feel well

• tu n'es pas bien ? are you feeling OK?

   d. ( = beau) [femme] pretty ; [homme] good-looking ; [chose] nice

• elle était très bien quand elle était jeune she was very pretty when she was young

• il est bien, ce nouveau canapé the new sofa's nice

   e. ( = à l'aise) on est bien à l'ombre it's nice in the shade

• on est bien ici it's nice here

• je suis bien dans ce fauteuil I'm very comfortable in this chair

• laisse-le, il est bien où il est ! leave him alone - he's fine where he is!

• vous voilà bien ! now you've done it!

   f. ( = convenable) nice ; (moralement) right

• c'est pas bien de dire ça it's not nice to say that

• ce n'est pas bien de faire ça it's not nice to do that

• c'est un type bien (inf) he's a good guy (inf)

• des gens bien posh (inf) people

   g. ( = en bons termes) être bien avec qn to get on well with sb

3. <

   a. ( = ce qui est bon) good

• faire le bien to do good

• le bien public the public good

• c'est pour ton bien ! it's for your own good!

► faire du bien

• faire du bien à qn to do sb good

• ce massage m'a fait du bien the massage did me good

• ça fait du bien de se confier it's good to talk

• ses paroles m'ont fait du bien what he said made me feel better► dire du bien

• dire du bien de qn to speak well of sb

• on dit beaucoup de bien de ce restaurant this restaurant has a very good name► en bien

• il a changé en bien he has changed for the better

• parler en bien de qn to speak well of sb

   b. ( = possession) possession ; ( = argent) fortune ; ( = terre) estate

• biens goods

• les biens de ce monde material possessions

4. <

► biens de consommation consumer goods

► biens d'équipement capital goods

► biens immobiliers real estate

► biens meubles, biens mobiliers movable property

* * *

bjɛ̃
1.

adjectif invariable

1) ( convenable)

être bien dans un rôle — to be good in a part

être bien de sa personne — to be good-looking

il n'y a rien de bien ici — there's nothing of interest here

voilà qui est bien — that's good

ce n'est pas bien de mentir — it's not nice to lie

ce serait bien — it would be nice

ça fait bien d'aller à l'opéra — (colloq) it's the done thing to go to the opera

les roses font bien — the roses look nice

2) ( en bonne santé) well

ne pas se sentir bien — not to feel well

t'es pas bien! — (colloq) you're out of your mind! (colloq)

3) ( à l'aise)

je suis bien dans ces bottes — these boots are comfortable

on est bien au soleil! — isn't it nice in the sun!

je me trouve bien ici — I like it here

nous voilà bien! — iron we' re in a fine mess!

4) (colloq) ( de qualité)

un quartier bien — a nice district

des gens bien — respectable people

un type bien — a gentleman

2.

adverbe

1) ( correctement) gén well; [fonctionner] properly; [interpréter] correctly

bien payé — well paid

bien joué! — fig well done!

aller bien — [personne] to be well; [affaires] to go well

ça s'est bien passé — it went well

la voiture ne marche pas bien — the car isn't running properly

ni bien ni mal — so-so

parler (très) bien le chinois — to speak (very) good Chinese

il travaille bien — ( élève) his work is good; ( artisan) he does a good job

il est bien remis — ( malade) he's made a good recovery

bien se tenir à table — to have good table manners

bien employer son temps — to make good use of one's time

j'ai cru bien faire — I thought I was doing the right thing

il fait bien de partir — he's right to leave

c'est bien fait pour elle! — it serves her right!

tu ferais bien d'y aller — it would be a good idea for you to go there

bien m'en a pris de refuser — it's a good thing I refused

2) ( complètement) [arroser, décongeler, laver, mélanger, propre, cuit] thoroughly; [remplir, sécher, sec, fondu] completely; [lire, écouter, regarder] carefully

bien à droite — well over to the right

bien devant — right at the front

bien profiter d'une situation — to exploit a situation to the full

3) ( agréablement) [présenté, situé] well; [s'habiller] well, smartly; [décoré, meublé] tastefully; [logé, installé, vivre] comfortably

femme bien faite — shapely woman

aller bien à quelqu'un — [couleur, style] to suit somebody

se mettre bien avec quelqu'un — to get on good terms with somebody

bien prendre une remarque — to take a remark in good part

4) ( hautement) [aimable, triste] very; [apprécier, craindre] very much; [simple, vrai, certain, évident] quite

il s'est bien mal comporté — he behaved really badly

il y a bien longtemps — a very long time ago

merci bien — thank you very much

tu as bien raison — you're quite right

c'est bien dommage — it's a real pity

bien rire — to have a good laugh

c'est bien promis? — is that a promise?

c'est bien compris? — is that clear?

bien au contraire — on the contrary

c'est bien joli tout ça, mais — that's all very well, but

bien mieux/moins/pire — much ou far better/less/worse

bien trop laid/tard — much too ugly/late

bien plus riche/cher — much ou far richer/more expensive

bien plus, il la vole! — not only that, he also takes her money

bien sûr — of course

bien entendu or évidemment — naturally

bien souvent — quite often

5) ( volontiers)

j'irais bien à Bali — I wouldn't mind going to Bali

je veux bien t'aider — I don't mind helping you

j'aimerais bien essayer — I would love to try

je le vois bien habiter à Paris — I can just imagine him living in Paris

6) ( malgré tout)

il faut bien le faire — it has to be done

il faudra bien s'y habituer — we'll just have to get used to it

il finira bien par se calmer — he'll calm down eventually

7) ( pour souligner)

ça prouve/montre bien que — it just goes to prove/show that

j'espère bien que — I do hope that

je sais/crois bien que — I know/think that

insiste bien — make sure you insist

on verra bien — well, we'll see

sache bien que je n'accepterai jamais — let me tell you that I will never accept

je m'en doutais bien! — I thought as much!

je t'avais bien dit de ne pas le manger! — I told you not to eat it!

il le fait bien lui, pourquoi pas moi? — if he can do it, why can't I?

veux-tu bien faire ce que je te dis! — will you do as I tell you!

tu peux très bien le faire toi-même — you can easily do it yourself

il se pourrait bien qu'il pleuve — it might well rain

que peut-il bien faire à Paris? — what on earth can he be doing in Paris?

8) ( réellement) definitely

c'est bien lui/mon sac — it's definitely him/my bag, it's him/my bag all right (colloq)

c'est bien ce qu'il a dit — that's exactly what he said

il ne s'agit pas d'une erreur, mais bien de fraude — it's not a mistake, it's fraud

c'est bien ici qu'on vend les billets? — this is where you get tickets, isn't it?

tu as bien pris les clés? — are you sure you've got the keys?

est-ce bien nécessaire? — is it really necessary?

c'est bien de lui! — it's just like him!

voilà bien la politique! — that's politics for you!

c'est bien le moment! — iron great timing!

c'est bien le moment de partir! — iron what a time to leave!

9) ( au moins) at least

elle a bien 40 ans — she's at least 40, she's a good 40 years old

10) ( beaucoup)

il y a bien des années — a good many years ago

bien des fois — often, many a time

bien des gens — lots of people

il s'est donné bien du mal — he's gone to a lot or a great deal of trouble

mon fils me donne bien du souci — my son is a great worry to me

avoir bien de la chance — to be very lucky

je te souhaite bien du plaisir! — iron I wish you joy!

3.

nom masculin

1) ( avantage) good

pour le bien du pays — for the good of the country

pour le bien de tous — for the general good

pour ton bien — for your own good

ce serait un bien — it would be a good thing

sacrifier son propre bien à celui d'autrui — to put others first

le bien et le mal — good and evil

faire le bien — to do good

ça fait du bien aux enfants — it's good for the children

ça leur fait du bien — it does them good

mon repos m'a fait le plus grand bien — my rest did me a world of good

grand bien vous fasse! — iron much good may it do you!

vouloir le bien de quelqu'un — to have somebody's best interests at heart

vouloir du bien à quelqu'un — to wish somebody well

dire du bien de quelqu'un — to speak well of somebody

on dit le plus grand bien du musée — people speak very highly of the museum

on a dit le plus grand bien de toi — a lot of nice things were said about you

parler en bien de quelqu'un — to speak favourably [BrE] of somebody

2) ( possession) possession

perdre tous ses biens dans un incendie — to lose all one's possessions in a fire

les biens de ce monde — material possessions

hériter des biens paternels — to inherit one's father's estate

dilapider son bien — to squander one's fortune

des biens considérables — substantial assets

la santé est le plus précieux des biens — you can't put a price on good health

4.

exclamation

bien! — good!

5.

bien que locution conjonctive although

bien qu'il le sache — although he knows

Phrasal Verbs:

- biens de consommation

- biens d'équipement

- biens d'équipement ménager

- biens fonciers

- biens immobiliers

- biens mobiliers

- biens personnels

- biens publics

••

tout est bien qui finit bien — Proverbe all's well that ends well Proverbe

* * *

bjɛ̃

1. nm

1) (= avantage)

faire du bien à qn — to do sb good

il n'y a pas de mal à se faire du bien — there's nothing wrong with doing oneself a bit of good

Ses vacances lui ont fait beaucoup de bien. — His holiday has done him a lot of good.

ça fait du bien de faire — it does you good to do

dire du bien de — to speak highly of

Jean m'a dit beaucoup de bien de toi. — Jean told me a lot of good things about you., Jean spoke very highly of you to me.

c'est pour son bien — it's for his own good

changer en bien — to change for the better

le bien public — the public good

vouloir du bien à qn (= vouloir aider) — to have sb's best interests at heart

un ami qui vous veut du bien — a well-wisher

2) (= possession) possession, property, (= patrimoine) property

son bien le plus précieux — his most treasured possession

avoir du bien — to have property

bien immobilier — property

3) (moral)

le bien — good

faire le bien — to do good

le bien et le mal — good and evil

distinguer le bien du mal — to tell good from evil

2. biens nmpl

les biens et services — goods and services

3. adv

1) (= de façon satisfaisante) well

Elle travaille bien. — She works well.

aller bien; se porter bien — to be well

croyant bien faire, je... — thinking I was doing the right thing, I...

faire bien de... — to do well to...

Tu ferais bien de faire attention. — You'd do well to pay attention.

2) (concession)

vouloir bien; Je veux bien le faire. — I'm quite willing to do it.

il faut bien le faire — it has to be done

peut-être bien — it could well be

on verra bien — we'll see

il y a bien 2 ans — at least 2 years ago

Il semble bien que... — It really seems that...

Paul est bien venu, n'est-ce pas? — Paul HAS come, hasn't he?

Où peut-il bien être passé? — Where on earth can he have got to?

3) (valeur intensive) quite

bien jeune — quite young

bien assez — quite enough

bien mieux — much better

J'espère bien y aller. — I very much hope to go.

bien du temps — quite some time

bien des gens — quite a number of people

aimer bien — to like

4) (autres locutions)

bien fait!; C'est bien fait pour toi! — It serves you right!

C'est bien fait pour elle! — It serves her right!

C'est bien fait pour lui! — It serves him right!

bien sûr!; bien entendu! — certainly!, of course!

si bien que — with the result that

4. excl

right!, OK!, fine!

eh bien! — well!

5. adj inv

1) (= en bonne forme)

je me sens bien — I feel fine, I feel well

je ne me sens pas bien — I don't feel well

je suis bien — I'm fine

je ne suis pas bien — I don't feel well

2) (= à l'aise)

On est bien dans ce fauteuil. — This chair is very comfortable.

3) (= à son avantage)

Tu es bien dans cette robe. — You look nice in that dress.

4) (= satisfaisant) good

Ce restaurant est vraiment bien. — This restaurant is really good.

Elle est bien, cette maison. — It's a nice house.

Elle est bien, cette secrétaire. — She's a good secretary.

c'est très bien comme ça — that's fine

Ce n'est pas si bien que ça. — It's not as good as all that., It's not all that great.

C'est bien? — Is that all right?

5) (moralement)

ce n'est pas bien de... — it's not right to...

Ce n'est pas bien de dire du mal des gens. — It's not right to say nasty things about people.

Elle est bien, cette femme. — She's a nice woman.

des gens bien — respectable people

6) (= en bons termes)

être bien avec qn — to be on good terms with sb

* * *

bien

A adj inv

1 ( convenable) être bien dans un rôle to be good in a part; être bien de sa personne to be good-looking; il n'y a rien de bien ici there's nothing of interest here; voilà qui est bien that's good; ce n'est pas bien de mentir it's not nice to lie; ce serait bien si on pouvait nager it would be nice if we could swim; ça fait bien d'aller à l'opéra○ it's the done thing to go to the opera; les roses font bien sur la terrasse the roses look nice ou good on the terrace; tout est bien qui finit bien all's well that ends well;

2 ( en bonne santé) well; ne pas se sentir bien not to feel well; non, mais, t'es pas bien○! you're out of your mind○!;

3 ( à l'aise) comfortable; je suis bien dans ces bottes these boots are comfortable; on est bien sur cette chaise! what a comfortable chair!; on est bien au soleil! isn't it nice in the sun!; je me trouve bien ici I like it here; suis mes conseils, tu t'en trouveras bien take my advice, it'll serve you in good stead; nous voilà bien! iron we're in a fine mess!;

4 ○( de qualité) un quartier bien a nice district; des gens bien respectable people; un type bien a gentleman; un film bien a good film.

B adv

1 ( correctement) [équipé, fait, géré, s'exprimer, dormir, choisir, se souvenir, danser] well; [fonctionner] properly; [libeller, diagnostiquer, interpréter] correctly; bien payé well paid; bien joué! lit well played!; fig well done!; aller bien [personne] to be well; [affaires] to go well; ça s'est bien passé it went well; la voiture ne marche pas bien the car isn't running properly ou right; ni bien ni mal so-so; parler (très) bien le chinois to speak (very) good Chinese, to speak Chinese (very) well; il travaille bien ( élève) his work is good; ( artisan) he does a good job; un travail bien fait a good job; il est bien remis ( malade) he's made a good recovery; bien se tenir à table to have good table manners; bien employer son temps to make good use of one's time; j'ai cru bien faire I thought I was doing the right thing; il fait bien de partir he's right to leave; c'est bien fait pour elle! it serves her right!; tu ferais bien d'y aller it would be a good idea for you to go there; pour bien faire, il faudrait acheter une lampe the thing to do would be to buy a lamp; bien m'en a pris de refuser it's a good thing I refused;

2 ( complètement) [arroser, décongeler, laver, mélanger, propre, cuit] thoroughly; [remplir, sécher, sec, fondu] completely; [lire, examiner, écouter, regarder] carefully; marche bien à droite keep well over to the right; mets-toi bien dans le coin/devant stand right in the corner/at the front; bien profiter d'une situation to exploit a situation to the full;

3 ( agréablement) [présenté, situé] well; [s'habiller] well, smartly; [décoré, meublé] tastefully; [logé, installé, vivre] comfortably; femme bien faite shapely woman; aller bien ensemble to go well together; aller bien à qn [couleur, style] to suit sb; se mettre bien avec qn to get on good terms with sb; bien prendre une remarque to take a remark in good part;

4 ( hautement) [aimable, triste] very; [apprécier, craindre] very much; [simple, vrai, certain, évident] quite; il s'est bien mal comporté he behaved very ou really badly; il y a bien longtemps de ça that was a very long time ago; c'est bien loin pour nous it's rather far for us; merci bien thank you very much; tu as bien raison you're quite ou absolutely right; c'est bien dommage it's a great ou real pity; bien rire/s'amuser/se reposer to have a good laugh/time/rest; tu as l'air bien pensif you're looking very pensive; c'est bien promis? is that a promise?; c'est bien compris? is that clear?; bien au contraire on the contrary; c'est bien beau ou joli tout ça, mais that's all very well, but; bien mieux/ moins/pire much ou far better/less/worse; bien trop laid/tard much too ugly/late; bien plus riche/cher much ou far richer/more expensive; bien plus, il la vole! not only that, he also takes her money; bien sûr of course; bien entendu or évidemment naturally; bien souvent quite often;

5 ( volontiers) j'irais bien à Bali I wouldn't mind going to Bali; j'en prendrais bien un autre I wouldn't mind another; je veux bien t'aider I don't mind helping you; j'aimerais bien essayer I would love to try; je te dirais bien de rester/venir, mais I would ask you to stay/come but; je verrais bien un arbre sur la pelouse I think a tree would look nice on the lawn; je le vois bien habiter à Paris I can just imagine him living in Paris;

6 ( malgré tout) il faut bien le faire/que ça finisse it has to be done/to come to an end; il faudra bien s'y habituer we'll just have to get used to it; elle sera bien obligée de payer she'll just have to pay; tu aurais bien pu me le dire you could at least have told me; il finira bien par se calmer he'll calm down eventually;

7 ( pour souligner) ça prouve/montre bien que it just goes to prove/show that; j'espère bien que I do hope that; je vois/comprends bien I do see/understand; je sais/crois bien que I know/think that; insiste bien make sure you insist; dis-le lui bien make sure you tell him/her; on verra bien well, we'll see; sache bien que je n'accepterai jamais let me tell you that I will never accept; crois bien que je n'hésiterais pas! you can be sure ou I can assure you that I would not hesitate!; je m'en doutais bien! I thought as much!; je t'avais bien dit de ne pas le manger! I told you not to eat it!; il le fait bien lui, pourquoi pas moi? if he can do it, why can't I?; veux-tu bien faire ce que je te dis! will you do as I tell you!; tu peux très bien le faire toi-même you can easily do it yourself; il se pourrait bien qu'il pleuve it might well rain; que peut-il bien faire à Paris? what on earth can he be doing in Paris?;

8 ( réellement) definitely; c'est bien lui/mon sac it's definitely him/my bag, it's him/my bag all right○; j'ai vérifié: il est bien parti I checked, he's definitely gone ou he's gone all right○; c'est bien ce qu'il a dit/vu that's definitely ou exactly what he said/saw; et c'est bien lui qui conduisait? and it was definitely him driving?; il ne s'agit pas d'une erreur, mais bien de fraude it's not a mistake, it's fraud; c'est bien mardi aujourd'hui? today is Tuesday, isn't it?; c'est bien ici qu'on vend les billets? this is where you get tickets, isn't it?; tu as bien pris les clés? are you sure you've got the keys?; est-ce bien nécessaire? is it really necessary?; s'agit-il bien d'un suicide? was it really suicide?; c'est bien de lui! it's just like him!; voilà bien la politique! that's politics for you!; c'est bien le moment! iron great timing!; c'est bien le moment de partir! iron what a time to leave!;

9 ( au moins) at least; elle a bien 40 ans she's at least 40, she's a good 40 years old; ça pèse bien dix kilos it weighs at least ten kilos, it weighs a good ten kilos; ça vaut bien le double it's worth at least twice as much;

10 ( beaucoup) c'était il y a bien des années that was a good many years ago; bien des fois often, many a time; bien des gens lots of people; il s'est donné bien du mal he's gone to a lot or a great deal of trouble; il s'en faut bien! far from it!; mon fils me donne bien du souci my son is a great worry to me; avoir bien de la chance to be very lucky; je te souhaite bien du plaisir! iron I wish you joy!

C nm

1 ( avantage) good; pour le bien du pays for the good of the country; pour le bien de tous for the general good; c'est pour ton bien it's for your own good; ce serait un bien it would be a good thing; sacrifier son propre bien à celui d'autrui to put others first; le bien et le mal good and evil; faire le bien to do good; il a fait beaucoup de bien autour de lui he has done a lot of good; ça fait du bien aux enfants/plantes it's good for the children /plants; ça fait/ça leur fait du bien it does you/them good; mon repos m'a fait le plus grand bien my rest did me a world of good; grand bien vous fasse! iron much good may it do you!; vouloir le bien de qn to have sb's best interests at heart; vouloir du bien à qn to wish sb well; ‘un ami qui vous veut du bien’ ( dans une lettre anonyme) ‘from a well-wisher’, ‘one who has your best interests at heart’; dire du bien de qn to speak well of sb; on dit le plus grand bien du maire/musée people speak very highly of the mayor/museum; on a dit le plus grand bien de toi a lot of nice things were said about you; parler en bien de qn to speak favourably^GB of sb; ⇒ ennemi, honneur;

2 ( possession) possession; (maison, terres) property; ( domaine) bien(s) estate; ( ensemble des possessions) bien(s) property ¢; ( patrimoine) bien(s) fortune; ( avoirs) biens assets; perdre tous ses bien s dans un incendie to lose all one's possessions in a fire; ce livre est mon bien le plus précieux this book is my most precious possession; les biens de ce monde material possessions; un petit bien en Corse a small property in Corsica; hériter des biens paternels to inherit one's father's property ou estate; dilapider son bien to squander one's fortune; avoir du bien (maisons, terres) to own property; ( argent) to be wealthy; des biens considérables substantial assets; la santé/liberté est le plus précieux des biens you can't put a price on good health/freedom; ⇒ abondance, acquis.

D excl

1 ( approbatif) bien! voyons le reste good! let's see the rest;

2 ( impatient) bien! bien! j'arrive! all right! all right! ou OK! OK○! I'm coming!

E bien que loc conj although, though; bien qu'il le sache although he knows; bien qu'elle vive maintenant en Floride, je la vois régulièrement although she lives in Florida, I see her regularly; il est venu travailler bien qu'il soit grippé he came in to work, although he had flu; bien que très différentes en apparence, les deux œuvres ont des points communs although very different in appearance, the two works have common features; il joue un rôle important bien que discret he plays an important role, albeit a discreet one; ⇒ aussi, ou, si.

Composés

biens de consommation consumer goods; biens durables consumer durables; biens d'équipement capital goods; biens d'équipement ménager household goods; biens fonciers land ¢; biens immeubles immovables; biens immeubles par destination fixtures; biens immobiliers real estate ¢; biens mobiliers personal property ¢; biens personnels private property ¢; biens propres separate estate (sg); détenir qch en bien s propres to hold sth as separate estate; biens publics public property ¢; biens sociaux corporate assets.

[bjɛ̃] adverbe

1. [de façon satisfaisante] well

tout allait bien everything was going well ou fine

il cuisine bien he's a good cook

la pièce finit bien the play has a happy ending

la vis tient bien the screw is secure ou is in tight

il gagne bien sa vie he earns a good living

ils vivent bien they have a comfortable life

faire bien to look good

bien prendre quelque chose to take something well

il s'y est bien pris he tackled it well

il s'y est bien pris pour interviewer le ministre he did a good job of interviewing the minister

vivre bien quelque chose to have a positive experience of something

tiens-toi bien!

a. [à la rambarde] hold on tight!

b. [sur la chaise] sit properly!

c. [à table] behave yourself!

tu tombes bien! you've come at (just) the right time!

2. [du point de vue de la santé]

aller ou se porter bien to feel well ou fine

il se porte plutôt bien! (humoristique) he doesn't look as if he's starving!

3. [conformément à la raison, à la loi, à la morale] well, decently

bien agir envers quelqu'un to do the proper ou right ou correct thing by somebody

tu as bien fait you did the right thing, you did right

tu fais bien de ne plus les voir you're right not to see them any more

tu fais bien de me le rappeler thank you for reminding me, it's a good thing you reminded me (of it)

tu ferais bien de partir plus tôt you'd do well to leave earlier

pour bien faire, nous devrions partir avant 9 h ideally, we should leave before 9

il faudrait lui acheter un cadeau pour bien faire we really ought to buy her a present

4. [sans malentendu] right, correctly

ai-je bien entendu ce que tu viens de dire? did I hear you right?

5. [avec soin]

écoute-moi bien listen (to me) carefully

as-tu bien vérifié? did you check properly?

fais bien ce que l'on te dit do exactly ou just as you're told

mélangez bien stir well

soigne-toi bien take good care of yourself

6. (suivi d'un adjectif) [très] really, very

c'est bien agréable it's really ou very nice

tu es bien sûr? are you quite certain ou sure?

bois un thé bien chaud have a nice hot cup of tea

(suivi d'un adverbe)

c'était il y a bien longtemps that was a very long time ago

embrasse-le bien fort give him a big hug

bien souvent (very) often

bien avant/après well before/after

bien trop tôt far ou much too early

7. (suivi d'un verbe) [beaucoup]

on a bien ri we had a good laugh, we laughed a lot

8. [véritablement]

j'ai bien cru que... I really thought that...

il a bien failli se noyer he very nearly drowned

sans bien se rendre compte de ce qu'il faisait without being fully aware of ou without fully realizing what he was doing

9. [pour renforcer, insister]

qui peut bien téléphoner à cette heure-ci? who could that be ringing at this hour?

où peut-il bien être? where on earth is he?

je sais bien que tu dis la vérité I know very well that you're telling the truth

veux-tu bien te taire? will you please be quiet?

ce n'est pas lui, mais bien son associé que j'ai eu au téléphone it wasn't him, but rather his partner I spoke to on the phone

c'est bien ça that's it ou right

c'est bien ce que je disais/pensais that's just what I was saying/thinking

c'est bien le moment d'en parler! (ironique) it's hardly the right time to talk about it!

j'ai pourtant bien entendu frapper I'm sure I heard a knock at the door

je le vois bien médecin I can (quite) see him as a doctor

tu vas lui dire? — je pense bien! are you going to tell him? — you bet I am!

je vais me plaindre — je comprends ou pense bien! I'm going to complain — I should think so too!

il ne m'aidera pas, tu penses bien! he won't help me, you can be sure of that!

c'est bien de lui, ça! that's typical of him!, that's just like him!

10. [volontiers]

j'irais bien avec toi I'd really like to go with you

je te dirais bien quelque chose, mais je suis poli I could say something rude but I won't

je boirais bien quelque chose I could do with ou I wouldn't mind a drink

11. [au moins] at least

12. [exprimant la supposition, l'éventualité]

tu verras bien you'll see

ils pourraient bien refuser they might well refuse

ça se pourrait bien it's perfectly possible

13. [pourtant]

mais il fallait bien le lui dire! but he had to be told (all the same)!

il faut bien le faire it's got to be done

14. [suivi d'un nom]

bien de, bien des quite a lot of

j'ai eu bien du souci I've had a lot to worry about

elle a bien du courage! isn't she brave!, she's got a great deal of courage!

bien des fois... more than once...

bien des gens lots of ou quite a lot of ou quite a few people

15. [dans la correspondance]

bien à toi love

bien à vous yours

————————

[bjɛ̃] adjectif invariable

1. [qui donne satisfaction] good

c'est bien de s'amuser mais il faut aussi travailler it's all right to have fun but you have to work too

je recule? — non, vous êtes bien là (familier) shall I move back? — no, you're all right ou OK ou fine like that

qu'est-ce qu'il est bien dans son dernier film! (familier) he's great ou really good in his new film!

ÉDUCATION [sur un devoir] good

2. [esthétique - personne] good-looking, attractive ; [ - chose] nice, lovely

tu es très bien en jupe

a. [cela te sied] you look very nice in a skirt

b. [c'est acceptable pour l'occasion] a skirt is perfectly all right

il est bien de sa personne he's a good-looking man

3. [convenable - personne] decent, nice

c'est bien [conduite, action]: ce serait bien de lui envoyer un peu d'argent it'd be a good idea to send her some money

ils se sont séparés et c'est bien comme ça they've split up and it's better that way

ce n'est pas bien de tirer la langue it's naughty ou it's not nice to stick out your tongue

ce n'est pas bien de tricher you shouldn't cheat

4. [en forme] well

vous ne vous sentez pas bien?

a. aren't you feeling well?

b. [mentalement] are you crazy?

il n'est pas bien, celui-là! (familier) he's got a problem, he has!

me/te/nous voilà bien! NOW I'm/you're/we're in a fine mess!

5. [à l'aise]

on est bien ici it's nice here

on est vraiment bien dans ce fauteuil this armchair is really comfortable

je suis bien avec toi I like being with you

6. [en bons termes]

être bien avec quelqu'un to be well in with somebody

ils sont bien ensemble they're happy together

se mettre bien avec quelqu'un to get in with somebody, to get into somebody's good books

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[bjɛ̃] nom masculin

1. PHILOSOPHIE & RELIGION

le bien good

faire le bien to do good

2. [ce qui est agréable, avantageux]

c'est pour ton bien que je dis ça I'm saying this for your own good ou benefit

c'est ton bien que je veux I only want what's best for you

le bien commun ou général the common good

c'est pour le bien de tous/de l'entreprise it's for the common good/the good of the firm

pour le bien public in the public interest

vouloir du bien à quelqu'un to wish somebody well

dire/penser du bien de to speak/to think well of

on ne m'a dit que du bien de votre cuisine I've heard the most flattering things about your cooking

faire du bien: continue à me masser, ça fait du bien carry on massaging me, it's doing me good

cela fait du bien de se dégourdir les jambes it's nice to be able to stretch your legs

je me suis cogné l'orteil, ça fait pas du bien! (familier) I bashed my toe, it's quite painful!

faire du bien ou le plus grand bien à quelqu'un [médicament, repos] to do somebody good, to benefit somebody

le dentiste ne m'a pas fait du bien! the dentist really hurt me!

la séparation leur fera le plus grand bien being apart will do them a lot ou a world of good

grand bien te/lui fasse! (ironique) much good may it do you/him!

bien m'en a pris it was just as well I did it

ça fait du bien par où ça passe! (familier) aah, I feel better for that!

3. [bienfait] good ou positive thing, benefit

cette décision a été un bien pour tout le monde the decision was a good thing for all ou everyone concerned

4. [propriété personnelle] possession, (piece) ou item of property

[argent] fortune

mon bien t'appartient what's mine is yours

ils ont un petit bien en Ardèche (familier) they have a bit of land in the Ardèche

la jeunesse est un bien précieux youth is a precious asset

tous mes biens all my worldly goods, all I'm worth

avoir du bien au soleil (familier) to be well-off ou rich

5. DROIT & ÉCONOMIE

bien de consommation courante consumer good

biens de consommation durables consumer durables

biens d'équipement capital equipment ou goods

biens privés/publics private/public property

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[bjɛ̃] interjection

1. [indiquant une transition] OK, right (then)

2. [marquant l'approbation]

je n'irai pas! — bien, n'en parlons plus! I won't go! — very well ou all right (then), let's drop the subject!

fort bien fine

bien, bien, on y va all right, all right ou OK, OK, let's go

bien entendu locution adverbiale

of course

bien entendu que locution conjonctive

of course

bien entendu que j'aimerais y aller of course I'd like to go

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bien que locution conjonctive

despite the fact that, although, though

bien que malade, il a tenu à y aller although he was ill, he insisted on going

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bien sûr locution adverbiale

of course

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bien sûr que locution conjonctive

of course

bien sûr qu'elle n'avait rien compris! of course she hadn't understood a thing!