Why is this question so common?
In French, both bon and bien exist, and they’re often used in similar sentences… which makes it confusing!
But they’re not interchangeable.
Here’s a clear and simple explanation with examples.
1. Bon is an adjective
👉 It describes a noun.
It agrees in gender and number: bon / bonne / bons / bonnes.
✅ Examples:
- This cake is good → Ce gâteau est bon.
- She has a good idea → Elle a une bonne idée.
- The answers are good → Les réponses sont bonnes.
2. Bien is an adverb
👉 It describes a verb, an adjective, or another adverb.
It is invariable (it doesn’t change form).
✅ Examples:
- You speak French well → Tu parles bien français.
- He is well organized → Il est bien organisé.
- She sings very well → Elle chante très bien.
3. Common mistakes
- ❌ Ce gâteau est très bien.
✅ Ce gâteau est très bon. - ❌ Tu fais bon ton travail.
✅ Tu fais bien ton travail.
4. Easy tip to remember
➡️ If you’re talking about a thing or a person, use bon.
➡️ If you’re talking about an action or verb, use bien.