If you want to make your French sound more, well, French, one place to start is with your vocabulary. In French classes, you tend to learn the most common, basic terms. Bon is one such example, but there are numerous synonyms to choose between, in both normal and informal registers. Take a look at this lesson to learn some informal ways to say "good." Click on each word to hear it pronounced.
Chouette
- great, nice
J'ai trouvé un chouette chapeau
I found a great hat
C'est une chouette fille
She's a great/nice girl
Cool (franglais)
- cool
Elle est cool, cette fille
That girl is cool
Il a l'air cool
He looks cool
Épatant
- great
C'est épatant !
That's great!
On est allé à une soirée épatante
We went to a cool party
Épatant was more popular in the 50's and 60's; it's now a bit old-fashioned and is used somewhat like we use "groovy" in English, for effect.
Extra
- terrific, great
Ce vin est extra
This wine is great
J'ai vu un film extra
I saw a terrific movie
Formidable
- great
C'est formidable !
That's great!
Il est formidable que...
It's great that...
Note that formidable can also mean "tremendous" or "big."
Formidable is a false cognate; the English word "formidable" means redoutable or terrible.
Génial
- great, fantastic, brilliant
C'était génial !
It was fantastic!
J'ai entendu une blague géniale
I heard a great joke
Super
- terrific, great
Elle est super, cette nana
That girl is terrific
Super !
Great!
Return to page 1 for normal register synonyms for bon like agréable, merveilleux, and more.
