Bedeutung
To present oneself well, to make a good impression, or appear strong.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The concept of 'la tenue' is vital. Even in protests or strikes, French leaders often try to 'faire belle figure' to maintain the dignity of their office. While understood, Quebecers might use 'avoir de l'allure' or 'bien paraître' more frequently in casual conversation. In international diplomacy, 'faire belle figure' is a strategic tool to project power and stability, even when a country is in crisis. 19th-century novels are full of characters who 'font belle figure' to hide their moral or financial decay, a theme central to 'Realism'.
The 'No Article' Rule
Never say 'faire UNE belle figure' unless you are literally drawing a person. The idiom is always article-free.
Belle vs. Bonne
Use 'belle' when you want to sound more elegant or describe a high-status success. Use 'bonne' for general resilience.
Bedeutung
To present oneself well, to make a good impression, or appear strong.
The 'No Article' Rule
Never say 'faire UNE belle figure' unless you are literally drawing a person. The idiom is always article-free.
Belle vs. Bonne
Use 'belle' when you want to sound more elegant or describe a high-status success. Use 'bonne' for general resilience.
Not just for faces
Remember that 'figure' here refers to your whole persona, not just your facial features.
Use with 'Malgré'
This phrase pairs perfectly with 'malgré' (despite) to show contrast between reality and appearance.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.
Malgré sa défaite, l'athlète a __________ devant les journalistes.
The idiom is 'faire belle figure' without an article.
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly in a professional context?
A) Il a fait belle figure en dessinant un cercle. B) L'entreprise a fait belle figure lors de la fusion. C) Elle a une belle figure depuis sa chirurgie.
B uses the idiom to describe a company's impressive performance/image during a business event.
Match the situation to the reason for 'faire belle figure'.
1. Un mariage, 2. Une faillite, 3. Un examen oral
Weddings require elegance; bankruptcy requires hiding failure; exams require showing competence.
Complete the dialogue.
— Je n'ai pas envie d'aller à ce dîner, je suis épuisé. — Allez, fais un effort, il faut __________ devant tes beaux-parents !
'Faire belle figure' is the best fit for maintaining a social impression in front of family.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Belle Figure vs. Bonne Figure
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenMalgré sa défaite, l'athlète a __________ devant les journalistes.
The idiom is 'faire belle figure' without an article.
A) Il a fait belle figure en dessinant un cercle. B) L'entreprise a fait belle figure lors de la fusion. C) Elle a une belle figure depuis sa chirurgie.
B uses the idiom to describe a company's impressive performance/image during a business event.
1. Un mariage, 2. Une faillite, 3. Un examen oral
Weddings require elegance; bankruptcy requires hiding failure; exams require showing competence.
— Je n'ai pas envie d'aller à ce dîner, je suis épuisé. — Allez, fais un effort, il faut __________ devant tes beaux-parents !
'Faire belle figure' is the best fit for maintaining a social impression in front of family.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYes! Even though 'belle' is feminine, it agrees with 'figure' (the noun), not the person. So, 'Il fait belle figure' is correct.
Close, but 'saving face' is more about avoiding shame. 'Faire belle figure' is more about projecting a positive, impressive image.
Absolutely. 'Il a fait belle figure' is very common in storytelling.
It is neutral to formal. You can use it with your boss or in a newspaper, but it might sound a bit 'fancy' for a casual hangout.
The opposite would be 'faire piètre figure' (to make a poor showing/impression).
Yes, you can say 'Cette maison fait belle figure dans le quartier' to mean it looks impressive compared to others.
Not necessarily, but it does imply a focus on the external. It's about 'presentation' rather than 'revelation'.
Very much so. It's often used to describe how a company presents itself to the market.
No, keep it as 'faire très belle figure'. No 'une'.
Yes, especially in period dramas or political thrillers.
Verwandte Redewendungen
faire bonne figure
similarTo put on a brave face.
faire fière allure
similarTo look striking or noble.
sauver les apparences
similarTo save appearances.
faire de la figuration
contrastTo be an extra/unimportant.
se mettre sur son trente-et-un
builds onTo dress up.
