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A2 noun #4,000 am häufigsten 10 Min. Lesezeit

en mauvaise santé

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At the A1 level, you are just starting to learn how to describe people. You might already know 'malade' (sick). 'En mauvaise santé' is slightly more advanced but very useful. It is a phrase you use with the verb 'être' (to be). For example: 'Il est en mauvaise santé.' This means 'He is in poor health.' At this level, don't worry too much about the grammar rules of why it is 'en' or 'mauvaise'; just learn it as a fixed phrase to describe someone who is not healthy. It is the opposite of 'en bonne santé' (in good health). You can use it to talk about people or pets. Remember that 'santé' is a feminine word, which is why we use 'mauvaise' with an 'e' at the end. Even if you are a beginner, using this phrase will make your French sound more natural than just saying 'il est mal' (he is bad). Try to use it when you see someone who looks tired or weak in your textbook exercises. It is a polite and clear way to express a physical state.
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At the A2 level, you should be able to use 'en mauvaise santé' in more complete sentences and understand its nuances. You are learning to talk about habits and lifestyle. This phrase is perfect for that. For example, you can say 'Il mange beaucoup de sucre, donc il est en mauvaise santé.' (He eats a lot of sugar, so he is in poor health.) You should also start to notice that 'en mauvaise santé' is often used to describe a general condition rather than a one-time illness. If you have a cold for three days, you are 'malade'. If you have been feeling weak and tired for months, you are 'en mauvaise santé'. At A2, you can also start adding adverbs like 'très' to say 'en très mauvaise santé'. This shows you are gaining control over the intensity of your descriptions. You might also encounter this phrase in simple news stories or health tips. It is a key part of the vocabulary for the 'Health' theme, which is a common topic in A2 exams like the DELF A2. Make sure you can spell 'mauvaise' correctly, as it is a common stumbling block for learners.
By the B1 level, you are expected to handle more complex social situations and express your opinions. 'En mauvaise santé' becomes a tool for discussing social issues like the impact of pollution or the benefits of a good diet. You might say, 'Je pense que beaucoup de citadins sont en mauvaise santé à cause de la pollution de l'air.' (I think many city dwellers are in poor health because of air pollution.) At this level, you should also be comfortable using the phrase in different tenses. For example, 'Il était en mauvaise santé, mais il va mieux maintenant' (He was in poor health, but he is doing better now). You are also starting to recognize the metaphorical uses of the phrase. You might hear it used to describe a company or an economy: 'Cette entreprise est en mauvaise santé financière.' This demonstrates a deeper understanding of French semantics. You should also be able to compare health states using 'plus' or 'moins': 'Il est en moins mauvaise santé qu'avant.' This shows a high level of grammatical flexibility. At B1, you are moving beyond simple descriptions into analysis and comparison.
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At the B2 level, you should be able to use 'en mauvaise santé' with precision in debates and formal writing. You can discuss the nuances between 'en mauvaise santé', 'souffrant', and 'ayant une santé précaire'. You might use it in an essay about the healthcare system: 'Le vieillissement de la population signifie qu'un plus grand nombre de citoyens seront en mauvaise santé.' (The aging of the population means a larger number of citizens will be in poor health.) You are expected to use the phrase naturally in complex sentences with subordinate clauses. For instance, 'Bien qu'il soit en mauvaise santé, il continue de travailler avec passion.' (Although he is in poor health, he continues to work with passion.) You should also be aware of the register. While 'en mauvaise santé' is neutral, you might choose 'une santé déclinante' for a more formal written report. At B2, your vocabulary should be rich enough to know when 'en mauvaise santé' is the most effective choice and when a more specific medical term is required. You can also use it to discuss abstract concepts like 'la santé d'une démocratie'.
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At the C1 level, you have a sophisticated command of the language. You use 'en mauvaise santé' and its variants to express subtle differences in meaning and tone. You might explore the philosophical implications of being in poor health in a literary analysis or a high-level discussion. You are familiar with more obscure synonyms like 'valétudinaire' or 'malingre', but you know that 'en mauvaise santé' remains the most versatile and widely understood expression. You can use it to create specific rhetorical effects. For example, in a speech, you might contrast the 'santé florissante' of the elite with the 'mauvaise santé' of the marginalized. You understand the historical and cultural weight of 'la santé' in French society, including the role of the state in preventing people from being 'en mauvaise santé'. Your use of the phrase is effortless, and you can integrate it into any context, from a scientific journal to a poetic description of a dying garden. You are also sensitive to the potential for the phrase to be used euphemistically in delicate social situations.
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At the C2 level, your mastery is near-native. You use 'en mauvaise santé' with total spontaneity and accuracy. You can play with the phrase, using it ironically or in complex metaphors. You might discuss the 'mauvaise santé' of a language or a cultural movement. You are capable of producing long, eloquent discourses where this phrase is just one small part of a rich linguistic tapestry. You understand all the possible connotations—social, medical, and metaphorical. You can distinguish between 'être en mauvaise santé' and 'avoir une mauvaise santé', noting that the former describes a state while the latter describes an attribute. You might use the phrase in a legal or high-level administrative context, such as discussing 'l'état de mauvaise santé chronique' as a criterion for certain benefits. Your ability to use this phrase reflects your deep integration into the French language, allowing you to discuss the most fundamental aspects of human existence—life, death, and well-being—with nuance, empathy, and precision.
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en mauvaise santé in 30 Sekunden

  • Used to describe a general state of poor physical or mental health, often implying a chronic or lasting condition.
  • Grammatically, it is a fixed adjectival phrase used with the verb 'être' (to be) or similar state verbs.
  • Applies to humans, animals, plants, and metaphorically to abstract concepts like the economy or organizations.
  • The opposite of 'en bonne santé', it requires the feminine adjective 'mauvaise' to agree with the noun 'santé'.

The French expression en mauvaise santé is a descriptive phrase used to indicate that someone or something is in a state of poor health or declining physical condition. While often used for humans, it can also metaphorically describe organizations, economies, or even plants. It is a foundational phrase for A2 learners because it allows for the expression of physical states beyond the simple 'malade' (sick). To be 'en mauvaise santé' implies a more chronic or general condition rather than a temporary cold or flu. It suggests that the body is not functioning at its optimal level, perhaps due to lifestyle choices, age, or underlying medical issues.

General State
Unlike a specific diagnosis, this phrase covers the broad spectrum of feeling unwell or being physically compromised.

Depuis qu'il a arrêté le sport, il est en mauvaise santé.

In social contexts, you might hear this when discussing elderly relatives or public health statistics. It is formal enough for a doctor's office but common enough for a conversation between friends. When using this phrase, you are focusing on the quality of life and the physical integrity of the subject. It is often contrasted with 'en bonne santé' (in good health), which serves as the positive benchmark. Understanding this phrase requires recognizing that 'santé' is a feminine noun, hence the use of the feminine adjective 'mauvaise'.

Metaphorical Usage
The phrase can describe an economy that is struggling or a business that is failing financially.

L'économie du pays est malheureusement en mauvaise santé cette année.

Culturally, the French place a high value on 'la santé'. It is the first thing people wish for each other during the New Year ('Bonne santé !'). Therefore, describing someone as being in 'mauvaise santé' carries a certain weight. It is not a phrase used lightly. It often triggers a follow-up question about what is wrong or how one can help. It is more descriptive than 'être mal' (to feel bad) and more serious than 'avoir un petit rhume' (to have a little cold).

Il est en mauvaise santé à cause de son mode de vie sédentaire.

Grammar Note
The expression remains 'en mauvaise santé' regardless of the gender of the person you are talking about, because it is the health (la santé) that is bad.

Marie est en mauvaise santé depuis son voyage.

Jean est également en mauvaise santé.

Using en mauvaise santé correctly requires understanding its position as an adjectival phrase following the verb être. You will rarely see it at the beginning of a sentence. It functions as a predicate adjective, providing information about the subject's current state. For example, 'Mon grand-père est en mauvaise santé' (My grandfather is in poor health). Notice how 'en' acts as the link between the subject's existence and the state of their health.

Common Verb Pairings
The most common verb is 'être', but you might also see 'paraître' (to appear) or 'sembler' (to seem).

Elle semble en mauvaise santé ces derniers jours.

When modifying the phrase, you can add adverbs to indicate the degree of poor health. Words like 'très' (very), 'vraiment' (really), or 'particulièrement' (particularly) can be placed before 'mauvaise'. For instance, 'Il est en très mauvaise santé' emphasizes the severity of the situation. This flexibility allows for nuanced descriptions of a person's condition. It's also important to note that while 'mauvaise' is the adjective, it doesn't change based on the subject; it always stays feminine to agree with 'santé'.

Negative Constructions
You can use 'ne... pas' with 'être' to say someone is NOT in poor health, though 'être en bonne santé' is more common.

Heureusement, il n'est pas en mauvaise santé.

In more advanced structures, you might see the phrase used in comparative or superlative forms. 'Il est en plus mauvaise santé que l'année dernière' (He is in worse health than last year). Note that French uses 'plus mauvaise' rather than a single word like 'worse' in this specific context, although 'pire' can sometimes be used in other health contexts. Mastering these variations will help you communicate complex ideas about physical well-being with precision.

Le patient est en mauvaise santé car il fume trop.

Causal Links
Use 'à cause de' or 'en raison de' to explain why someone is in poor health.

Elle est en mauvaise santé à cause de la pollution.

Beaucoup de gens sont en mauvaise santé par manque de sommeil.

You will encounter en mauvaise santé in a variety of real-world scenarios. In a professional medical setting, a doctor might use it when giving a general assessment of a patient's condition before diving into specifics. 'Votre foie est en mauvaise santé' (Your liver is in poor health). It serves as a soft entry point for more serious news. In the media, journalists use it to describe populations affected by famine, war, or environmental crises. For example, a news report might state that 'les enfants de cette région sont en mauvaise santé'.

News & Media
Frequent in articles about public health, obesity, or the effects of climate change on human well-being.

Le rapport indique que la population est en mauvaise santé.

In everyday life, you'll hear it in casual conversations when people talk about their acquaintances or family members. It's a respectful way to say someone isn't doing well without being overly intrusive. If you ask 'Comment va ton oncle ?', the reply might be 'Il est malheureusement en mauvaise santé'. This signals that the situation is ongoing and perhaps serious. You might also see it in health-related advertising or public service announcements encouraging better habits. 'Ne restez pas en mauvaise santé, mangez des légumes !' (Don't stay in poor health, eat vegetables!).

Environmental Context
Used to describe ecosystems, like forests or coral reefs, that are dying or struggling.

Cette forêt est en mauvaise santé à cause de la sécheresse.

In literature and film, the phrase can set the tone for a character's arc. A character described as 'en mauvaise santé' from the start often faces a struggle for survival or a search for a cure. It creates immediate empathy and stakes. Whether it's a dramatic movie or a documentary about the healthcare system, this expression is a key linguistic tool for describing the fragility of life. Pay attention to how the tone changes when this phrase is used—it usually brings a sense of gravity or concern to the conversation.

Le vieux chat de la voisine est en mauvaise santé.

Literature Example
Authors often use it to foreshadow a character's demise or a period of suffering.

Le protagoniste, en mauvaise santé, cherchait désespérément un remède.

Les plantes de mon balcon sont en mauvaise santé car je les ai oubliées.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make is trying to translate 'in bad health' literally as 'dans mauvaise santé'. In French, the preposition en is required for these types of states. Using 'dans' sounds unnatural and is grammatically incorrect. Another common mistake is confusing the adjective mauvais with the adverb mal. You cannot say 'en mal santé'. 'Mauvais' must modify the noun 'santé'.

Preposition Error
Incorrect: Il est dans mauvaise santé. Correct: Il est en mauvaise santé.

Faites attention : on dit en mauvaise santé, pas 'dans'.

Agreement errors are also prevalent. Even if you are talking about a man, you must use the feminine form 'mauvaise' because it modifies the feminine noun 'santé', not the person directly. So, 'Il est en mauvais santé' is a mistake. Always remember: la santé is feminine. Additionally, learners often overuse 'malade' when 'en mauvaise santé' would be more appropriate. If someone has a chronic condition but isn't 'sick' with a virus today, 'en mauvaise santé' is the better choice.

Word Order
In French, 'mauvaise' usually comes before the noun, unlike many other adjectives that follow it. 'Santé mauvaise' is rare and poetic.

Il est en mauvaise santé, c'est une expression fixe.

Another subtle mistake is using 'mauvais' when you mean 'mal'. If you want to say someone feels bad at this moment, you say 'Il se sent mal'. If you want to describe their overall health status, you use 'Il est en mauvaise santé'. Mixing these up can lead to confusion about whether you are talking about a temporary feeling or a long-term condition. Finally, avoid using 'pauvre santé' as a direct translation of 'poor health'. While understandable, 'mauvaise santé' is the standard and more natural way to express this in French.

Ne confondez pas 'se sentir mal' et être en mauvaise santé.

Translation Pitfall
Avoid 'pauvre santé'. Even though 'poor' translates to 'pauvre', in this context, 'mauvaise' is the correct choice.

L'expression correcte est en mauvaise santé.

Elle n'est pas en mauvaise santé, elle est juste fatiguée.

If you want to vary your vocabulary, there are several alternatives to en mauvaise santé depending on the level of formality and the specific nuance you want to convey. Malade is the most common alternative, but as mentioned, it often implies a specific, temporary illness. For a more formal or medical tone, you might use souffrant (suffering/unwell). This is often heard in professional contexts or when politely declining an invitation on behalf of someone else.

Malade vs. En mauvaise santé
'Malade' is often acute (flu, cold), while 'en mauvaise santé' is often chronic or general.

Il est malade aujourd'hui, mais il n'est pas en mauvaise santé en général.

Another useful term is fragile. This describes someone whose health is precarious, even if they aren't currently sick. It's often used for the elderly or young children. If you want to describe someone who looks weak or sickly, you could use chétif or maladif. These are more descriptive of physical appearance. On the more informal side, 'ne pas être dans son assiette' is a common idiom meaning someone doesn't feel like their usual healthy self.

Valétudinaire
This is a very advanced, literary word for someone who is constantly in poor health. It's rare but good to know for C2 levels.

Ma grand-mère est devenue très fragile avec l'âge.

When talking about specific systems, you might say 'avoir une santé précaire' (to have precarious health) or 'avoir des problèmes de santé' (to have health problems). These are very common in administrative or medical discussions. Comparing these options helps you choose the right level of intensity. 'En mauvaise santé' is the solid, middle-ground choice that works in almost any situation. It is direct without being overly clinical or overly slangy.

Le médecin s'inquiète de sa santé précaire.

Comparison of Intensity
1. Un peu fatigué (mild) 2. Malade (specific) 3. En mauvaise santé (general/serious) 4. Mourant (extreme).

Il a des problèmes de santé chroniques.

Elle est souffrante et ne pourra pas venir ce soir.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The word 'mauvais' originally meant 'unfortunate' or 'ill-fated' before it came to mean simply 'bad'.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /ɑ̃ mo.vɛz sɑ̃.te/
US /ɑ̃ mo.vɛz sɑ̃.te/
The stress is generally even, with a slight emphasis on the final syllable 'té'.
Reimt sich auf
en bonne santé en liberté en vérité en été en sécurité en difficulté en activité en réalité
Häufige Fehler
  • Pronouncing the 'n' in 'en' or 'santé' too clearly.
  • Forgetting to pronounce the 'z' in 'mauvaise' before the 's' of 'santé'.
  • Pronouncing 'mauvaise' as 'mauvais' (dropping the 'z' sound).
  • Using an English 'h' sound in 'santé' (which doesn't exist).
  • Making the 'é' in 'santé' sound like 'ay' with a diphthong.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 2/5

The words are common and the structure is simple for A2 learners.

Schreiben 3/5

Requires remembering the feminine agreement of 'mauvaise' and the preposition 'en'.

Sprechen 3/5

Nasal vowels in 'en' and 'santé' can be tricky for beginners.

Hören 2/5

Easily recognizable in clear speech.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

être mauvais santé malade corps

Als Nächstes lernen

souffrir guérir ordonnance symptôme diagnostic

Fortgeschritten

valétudinaire convalescence pathologie morbide étiologie

Wichtige Grammatik

Adjective agreement with 'santé'

La santé est MAUVAISE (feminine).

Preposition 'en' for states

En colère, en retard, EN mauvaise santé.

Placement of 'mauvaise'

Short adjectives like 'mauvaise' usually precede the noun.

Using 'être' to describe conditions

Il EST en mauvaise santé.

Adverbial modification

Il est EN TRÈS mauvaise santé.

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Beispiele nach Niveau

1

Le chat est en mauvaise santé.

The cat is in poor health.

Simple subject + être + en mauvaise santé.

2

Il est en mauvaise santé car il ne mange pas.

He is in poor health because he doesn't eat.

Using 'car' to explain the reason.

3

Est-ce qu'elle est en mauvaise santé ?

Is she in poor health?

Question form using 'est-ce que'.

4

Mon grand-père est en mauvaise santé.

My grandfather is in poor health.

Possessive adjective 'mon' + noun.

5

Ils sont en mauvaise santé.

They are in poor health.

Plural subject 'ils' but the phrase 'en mauvaise santé' stays the same.

6

Je ne suis pas en mauvaise santé.

I am not in poor health.

Negative form 'ne... pas'.

7

La plante est en mauvaise santé.

The plant is in poor health.

Metaphorical use for a plant.

8

Pourquoi es-tu en mauvaise santé ?

Why are you in poor health?

Inversion for the question 'es-tu'.

1

Il est en mauvaise santé parce qu'il fume trop.

He is in poor health because he smokes too much.

Using 'parce que' for causality.

2

Elle semble en mauvaise santé depuis son voyage.

She seems in poor health since her trip.

Using 'sembler' instead of 'être'.

3

Beaucoup de gens sont en mauvaise santé en hiver.

Many people are in poor health in winter.

Adverbial phrase of time 'en hiver'.

4

Le médecin dit que je suis en mauvaise santé.

The doctor says that I am in poor health.

Reported speech using 'que'.

5

Il est en très mauvaise santé et doit rester au lit.

He is in very poor health and must stay in bed.

Adding 'très' to modify the intensity.

6

Si tu ne dors pas, tu seras en mauvaise santé.

If you don't sleep, you will be in poor health.

Future tense 'seras' in a conditional sentence.

7

Ma voisine est âgée et en mauvaise santé.

My neighbor is elderly and in poor health.

Combining two adjectives/states with 'et'.

8

Le chien de Paul est en mauvaise santé.

Paul's dog is in poor health.

Possessive construction with 'de'.

1

L'économie du pays est en mauvaise santé à cause de la crise.

The country's economy is in poor health because of the crisis.

Metaphorical use for economy.

2

Il est en plus mauvaise santé que l'année dernière.

He is in worse health than last year.

Comparative 'plus mauvaise... que'.

3

On peut être riche mais en mauvaise santé.

One can be rich but in poor health.

Using 'on' for a general truth.

4

Le stress au travail peut nous mettre en mauvaise santé.

Stress at work can put us in poor health.

Using 'mettre' to indicate a change of state.

5

Elle a peur d'être en mauvaise santé plus tard.

She is afraid of being in poor health later.

Infinitive after 'peur d''.

6

Bien qu'il soit en mauvaise santé, il garde le sourire.

Although he is in poor health, he keeps smiling.

Subjunctive 'soit' after 'bien que'.

7

La pollution rend les enfants en mauvaise santé.

Pollution makes children in poor health.

Using 'rendre' + object + state.

8

Il est important de ne pas rester en mauvaise santé trop longtemps.

It is important not to stay in poor health for too long.

Negative infinitive 'ne pas rester'.

1

Le système de santé est lui-même en mauvaise santé financière.

The health system itself is in poor financial health.

Self-referential metaphorical use.

2

Certains quartiers sont en mauvaise santé environnementale.

Some neighborhoods are in poor environmental health.

Applying the concept to an environment.

3

Il a été diagnostiqué en mauvaise santé générale par les experts.

He was diagnosed as being in poor general health by experts.

Passive voice 'a été diagnostiqué'.

4

La mauvaise santé de l'entreprise inquiète les actionnaires.

The poor health of the company worries the shareholders.

Using 'mauvaise santé' as a noun phrase subject.

5

Elle souffre d'être en mauvaise santé depuis son enfance.

She suffers from being in poor health since her childhood.

Verb 'souffrir de' + infinitive.

6

On ne peut ignorer que la population est en mauvaise santé.

One cannot ignore that the population is in poor health.

Double negative 'ne peut ignorer'.

7

Le projet est en mauvaise santé faute de moyens.

The project is in poor health for lack of means.

Using 'faute de' to show cause.

8

Il est en mauvaise santé, ce qui l'empêche de voyager.

He is in poor health, which prevents him from traveling.

Relative clause 'ce qui'.

1

L'état de mauvaise santé chronique pèse sur le moral du patient.

The state of chronic poor health weighs on the patient's morale.

Complex subject with 'état de'.

2

Cette institution, autrefois prestigieuse, est désormais en mauvaise santé.

This institution, once prestigious, is now in poor health.

Apposition 'autrefois prestigieuse'.

3

La mauvaise santé d'un seul organe peut affecter tout le corps.

The poor health of a single organ can affect the whole body.

Abstract noun phrase usage.

4

Il se complaît dans son état de personne en mauvaise santé.

He wallows in his state of being a person in poor health.

Reflexive verb 'se complaire dans'.

5

L'écosystème marin est en mauvaise santé à cause de l'acidification.

The marine ecosystem is in poor health because of acidification.

Scientific context.

6

On observe une corrélation entre pauvreté et mauvaise santé.

A correlation is observed between poverty and poor health.

Academic register.

7

Malgré sa mauvaise santé apparente, il possède une force mentale incroyable.

Despite his apparent poor health, he possesses incredible mental strength.

Concessive 'malgré'.

8

La démocratie est en mauvaise santé quand le dialogue s'arrête.

Democracy is in poor health when dialogue stops.

Political metaphor.

1

L'étiolement de la culture témoigne d'une société en mauvaise santé.

The withering of culture testifies to a society in poor health.

High-level vocabulary 'étiolement'.

2

Il est en mauvaise santé, au sens le plus holistique du terme.

He is in poor health, in the most holistic sense of the term.

Prepositional phrase 'au sens... du terme'.

3

La mauvaise santé structurelle de la zone euro fut alors évidente.

The structural poor health of the eurozone was then evident.

Passé simple 'fut'.

4

Il ne s'agit plus d'être malade, mais d'être perpétuellement en mauvaise santé.

It is no longer a matter of being sick, but of being perpetually in poor health.

Restrictive 'ne... plus... mais'.

5

L'allégorie de la nation en mauvaise santé parcourt toute l'œuvre.

The allegory of the nation in poor health runs through the entire work.

Literary analysis context.

6

Le diagnostic de mauvaise santé fut accueilli avec un stoïcisme remarquable.

The diagnosis of poor health was received with remarkable stoicism.

Passive voice with an abstract noun.

7

Une âme en mauvaise santé peut-elle jamais trouver le repos ?

Can a soul in poor health ever find rest?

Philosophical question.

8

La mauvaise santé des finances publiques impose des réformes drastiques.

The poor health of public finances imposes drastic reforms.

Economic/Political register.

Synonyme

malade souffrant maladif chétif fragile valétudinaire indisposé patraque

Gegenteile

en bonne santé sain vigoureux en pleine forme

Häufige Kollokationen

être en mauvaise santé
paraître en mauvaise santé
en très mauvaise santé
en mauvaise santé physique
en mauvaise santé mentale
en mauvaise santé financière
rester en mauvaise santé
tomber en mauvaise santé
jugé en mauvaise santé
état de mauvaise santé

Häufige Phrasen

santé fragile

— A delicate health state. Used to describe someone who gets sick easily.

L'enfant a une santé fragile.

problèmes de santé

— Health problems. A general way to refer to medical issues.

Il a beaucoup de problèmes de santé.

déclin de la santé

— Decline in health. Used when someone's health is getting worse.

On observe un déclin de sa santé.

santé précaire

— Precarious health. Used for unstable or risky health conditions.

Il vit avec une santé précaire.

santé de fer

— Iron health. The opposite of poor health; having a very strong constitution.

Mon grand-père a une santé de fer.

santé chancelante

— Wavering health. Used for health that is failing or unsteady.

Il a une santé chancelante depuis des mois.

capital santé

— Health capital. The idea of health as a resource to be protected.

Il faut préserver son capital santé.

bilan de santé

— Health check-up. A medical examination to assess one's state.

Je fais un bilan de santé tous les ans.

santé publique

— Public health. The health of the population as a whole.

C'est un problème de santé publique.

petite santé

— Poor health. A slightly colloquial way to say someone is often a bit unwell.

Il a toujours eu une petite santé.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

en mauvaise santé vs malade

'Malade' is usually for a specific illness, while 'en mauvaise santé' is a general state.

en mauvaise santé vs en mauvais état

Used for objects (like a car or a house), not usually for people's health.

en mauvaise santé vs mal

'Se sentir mal' is a temporary feeling, 'en mauvaise santé' is a status.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"ne pas être dans son assiette"

— To not feel like oneself; to feel slightly unwell or off.

Je ne suis pas dans mon assiette aujourd'hui.

informal
"avoir une mine de déterré"

— To look like death warmed up; to look extremely pale and sick.

Tu as une mine de déterré ce matin !

informal
"être au bout du rouleau"

— To be at the end of one's rope; to be completely exhausted or failing in health.

Après cette maladie, il était au bout du rouleau.

informal
"avoir un pied dans la tombe"

— To have one foot in the grave; to be very close to death or in extremely poor health.

À cent ans, il dit qu'il a un pied dans la tombe.

informal
"être mal en point"

— To be in a bad way; to be in poor physical condition.

Sa voiture est mal en point, et lui aussi.

neutral
"filer un mauvais coton"

— To be on a downward path; to have health that is deteriorating rapidly.

Il file un mauvais coton avec tout ce stress.

informal
"être sur le flanc"

— To be laid up; to be out of action due to illness.

La grippe l'a mis sur le flanc pour une semaine.

informal
"avoir une santé de papier mâché"

— To have health like papier-mâché; to be extremely fragile.

Elle a une santé de papier mâché, elle attrape tout.

informal
"battre de l'aile"

— To be struggling; used metaphorically for health or an institution in 'poor health'.

Son cœur commence à battre de l'aile.

neutral
"ne pas avoir une once de force"

— To not have an ounce of strength; to be extremely weak.

Il est si en mauvaise santé qu'il n'a plus une once de force.

neutral

Leicht verwechselbar

en mauvaise santé vs mauvais

Learners forget the feminine agreement.

'Mauvais' is masculine, 'mauvaise' is feminine. Since 'santé' is feminine, always use 'mauvaise'.

Un mauvais film, mais une mauvaise santé.

en mauvaise santé vs mal

Both mean 'bad' or 'ill'.

'Mal' is an adverb or noun, 'mauvaise' is an adjective. You cannot say 'en mal santé'.

Il va mal, il est en mauvaise santé.

en mauvaise santé vs pauvre

Literal translation of 'poor health'.

In French, we use 'mauvaise' for health, not 'pauvre' (which usually refers to money or pity).

Il est pauvre, mais il est en mauvaise santé.

en mauvaise santé vs sale

Sounds slightly like 'santé'.

'Sale' means dirty. 'Santé' means health.

Ses mains sont sales, sa santé est mauvaise.

en mauvaise santé vs sain

Sounds like 'santé'.

'Sain' is the adjective 'healthy'. 'Santé' is the noun 'health'.

Il est sain de corps, il a une bonne santé.

Satzmuster

A1

[Subject] + est + en mauvaise santé.

Marie est en mauvaise santé.

A2

[Subject] + semble + en mauvaise santé.

Il semble en mauvaise santé.

B1

[Subject] + est + en [Adverb] + mauvaise santé.

Elle est en très mauvaise santé.

B1

[Subject] + est + en mauvaise santé + à cause de + [Noun].

Il est en mauvaise santé à cause du tabac.

B2

Bien que + [Subject] + soit + en mauvaise santé...

Bien qu'il soit en mauvaise santé, il travaille.

B2

Le/La [Noun] + est + en mauvaise santé + [Adjective].

L'entreprise est en mauvaise santé financière.

C1

L'état de mauvaise santé de + [Noun] + [Verb]...

L'état de mauvaise santé du patient inquiète.

C2

[Abstract Noun] + témoigne d'une + [Noun] + en mauvaise santé.

Le chaos témoigne d'une nation en mauvaise santé.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

santé (health)
maladie (illness)
souffrance (suffering)
malaise (discomfort)

Verben

assainir (to make healthy)
souffrir (to suffer)
tomber (malade) (to fall sick)

Adjektive

sain (healthy)
mauvais (bad)
malade (sick)
malsain (unhealthy)

Verwandt

médecin
hôpital
médicament
soins
guérison
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So verwendest du es

frequency

Common in medical, social, and metaphorical contexts.

Häufige Fehler
  • Il est en mauvais santé. → Il est en mauvaise santé.

    Learners often forget that 'santé' is feminine, so 'mauvais' must become 'mauvaise'.

  • Il est dans mauvaise santé. → Il est en mauvaise santé.

    Using 'dans' is a literal translation from English 'in'. French uses 'en' for states.

  • Il est en mal santé. → Il est en mauvaise santé.

    'Mal' is an adverb; 'mauvaise' is the adjective needed to modify the noun 'santé'.

  • Il a une pauvre santé. → Il est en mauvaise santé.

    While 'pauvre' means 'poor', it is not used in this context in French. 'Mauvaise' is the standard.

  • Il est en santé mauvaise. → Il est en mauvaise santé.

    In this fixed expression, the adjective 'mauvaise' must come before the noun.

Tipps

Feminine Agreement

Always keep 'mauvaise' in the feminine form because 'santé' is a feminine noun.

Fixed Phrase

Treat 'en mauvaise santé' as one single block of meaning rather than individual words.

Nasal Sounds

Practice the 'en' and 'an' sounds. They are key to sounding natural in this phrase.

Metaphorical Use

Don't be afraid to use it for an economy or a project; it makes you sound more advanced.

Medical Context

Use this when a doctor gives a general summary of a patient's condition.

Vary Your Words

Use 'souffrant' if you want to be extra polite or formal.

The Positive Side

Learn 'en bonne santé' at the same time to have the full range of expression.

Accent Mark

Don't forget the accent on 'santé'. It's 'é', not 'e'.

Adverb Use

Add 'particulièrement' or 'vraiment' for emphasis in your writing.

News Reports

Listen for this phrase in news segments about the environment or public health.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of 'EN' as 'Entering' a state, 'MAUVAISE' as 'Movies' that are bad, and 'SANTÉ' as 'Santa' who is feeling unwell. Santa is in a bad movie because he is en mauvaise santé.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a thermometer showing a very high temperature next to a person lying in a bed with a sad face. The color red (bad) is everywhere.

Word Web

Santé Mauvaise Malade Médecin Hôpital Corps Faible Fatigue

Herausforderung

Try to describe three things that are 'en mauvaise santé' today: a person you know, a plant in your house, and an abstract concept like your bank account.

Wortherkunft

The phrase is a combination of the preposition 'en' (from Latin 'in'), the adjective 'mauvaise' (feminine of 'mauvais', from Vulgar Latin 'malifatius' meaning 'unlucky' or 'bad'), and the noun 'santé' (from Latin 'sanitas' meaning 'health').

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: To be in a state of bad health/unluckiness regarding one's physical condition.

Romance (Latin roots).

Kultureller Kontext

Be careful when describing someone as 'en mauvaise santé' to their face; it can be perceived as blunt or overly negative. It is better used when talking about someone in the third person or in a medical context.

In English, we often say 'in poor health'. The French 'mauvaise' (bad) feels a bit more direct than 'poor'.

Le Malade Imaginaire by Molière (a classic play about health). Public health campaigns in France like 'Manger Bouger'. The common toast 'À votre santé !' (To your health!).

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

At the doctor's office

  • Je me sens en mauvaise santé.
  • Depuis quand êtes-vous en mauvaise santé ?
  • Il est en mauvaise santé à cause de son cœur.
  • Quels sont les signes de sa mauvaise santé ?

Discussing family

  • Mon oncle est en mauvaise santé.
  • Elle s'inquiète car son père est en mauvaise santé.
  • Il est vieux et en mauvaise santé.
  • Toute la famille est en mauvaise santé à cause de la grippe.

In the news

  • La population est en mauvaise santé.
  • Un rapport sur la mauvaise santé des jeunes.
  • L'économie mondiale est en mauvaise santé.
  • Les forêts sont en mauvaise santé à cause du climat.

Lifestyle advice

  • Fumer vous met en mauvaise santé.
  • Ne restez pas en mauvaise santé.
  • Comment éviter d'être en mauvaise santé ?
  • Le sucre rend les gens en mauvaise santé.

At school

  • L'élève est absent car il est en mauvaise santé.
  • Un cours sur les dangers d'être en mauvaise santé.
  • Pourquoi est-il en mauvaise santé ?
  • Elle a fait un exposé sur la mauvaise santé.

Gesprächseinstiege

"Penses-tu qu'il est possible d'être heureux tout en étant en mauvaise santé ?"

"Que fais-tu quand tu te sens en mauvaise santé pour aller mieux ?"

"Connais-tu quelqu'un qui est en mauvaise santé en ce moment ?"

"Pourquoi tant de gens sont-ils en mauvaise santé de nos jours ?"

"Est-ce que ton animal de compagnie a déjà été en mauvaise santé ?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Décris une période où tu étais en mauvaise santé et comment tu as récupéré.

Quels sont les facteurs qui rendent une personne en mauvaise santé selon toi ?

Imagine un monde où personne n'est jamais en mauvaise santé. Comment serait-ce ?

Écris une lettre à un ami qui est en mauvaise santé pour l'encourager.

Comment la société peut-elle aider les personnes qui sont en mauvaise santé ?

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

Yes, you use the same phrase for both men and women. The adjective 'mauvaise' agrees with the noun 'santé', which is always feminine. For example: 'Il est en mauvaise santé' and 'Elle est en mauvaise santé'.

It is always 'en mauvaise santé'. In French, we use the preposition 'en' to describe states of being like this. 'Dans' is for physical containment.

The most common opposite is 'en bonne santé' (in good health). You can also say 'en pleine forme' if someone is very healthy and energetic.

Yes, you can use it metaphorically. You would say 'L'entreprise est en mauvaise santé financière' to mean the company is struggling with money.

It is neutral to slightly formal. It is appropriate for doctors, news reports, and polite conversation.

You can say 'en très mauvaise santé' or 'en une santé très précaire'.

Yes, this is a correct and common way to describe someone struggling with their mental health.

In this specific expression, yes. It is a fixed phrase where the adjective precedes the noun.

Yes, it is very common to say 'Ma plante est en mauvaise santé' if it is wilting or turning yellow.

'Malade' usually means you have a specific illness right now (like a cold). 'En mauvaise santé' means your general condition is not good over a longer period.

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writing

Write a sentence describing a person in poor health using 'en mauvaise santé'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'The cat is in very poor health.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence about why someone is in poor health.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'She seems in poor health since last month.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Use the phrase 'en mauvaise santé' in a question.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Describe a plant in poor health.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence using 'en mauvaise santé' metaphorically for a company.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'Although he is in poor health, he is very active.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Compare the health of two people.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Explain the importance of not being in poor health.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a formal sentence about a patient's health.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Use an idiom related to poor health in a sentence.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Describe the environmental health of a forest.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'The decline in health is concerning.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence about public health.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Analyze the impact of stress on health.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Use the word 'souffrant' in a formal context.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence about the 'mauvaise santé' of democracy.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Use 'valétudinaire' in a literary sentence.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Discuss the 'capital santé' in a philosophical way.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
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