Meaning
Used to express strong admiration or excitement for something.
Cultural Background
The French use 'C'est génial' frequently, but they also love 'C'est pas mal' (It's not bad) as a high compliment. Sometimes 'pas mal' can actually mean 'génial' depending on the shrug! In Quebec, you might hear 'C'est le fun !' or 'C'est écoeurant !'. Interestingly, 'écoeurant' (literally: sickening) is used as slang for 'awesome' in Montreal. Belgians use 'génial' similarly to the French, but they might also use 'C'est gai !' to mean something is nice or fun. In French-speaking West Africa, 'C'est génial' is understood, but local expressions or 'C'est trop bon' might be used with more frequency in casual markets.
The 'Trop' Trick
Add 'trop' before 'génial' to sound more like a native speaker in casual settings: 'C'est trop génial !'
Sarcasm Alert
Be careful with your tone. If you say it too slowly, people will think you are being sarcastic.
Meaning
Used to express strong admiration or excitement for something.
The 'Trop' Trick
Add 'trop' before 'génial' to sound more like a native speaker in casual settings: 'C'est trop génial !'
Sarcasm Alert
Be careful with your tone. If you say it too slowly, people will think you are being sarcastic.
Agreement Rule
Always use 'C'est génial' (masculine) when reacting to a whole situation, even if the situation involves feminine things.
Calibration
Don't over-use it for tiny things, or you'll sound like an over-excited tourist. Save it for things that are actually 'great'.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct response to: 'J'ai gagné au loto !'
J'ai gagné au loto !
We use 'C'est' + masculine singular adjective for general reactions.
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the adjective.
C'est une idée _________ (génial).
The adjective must agree with the feminine noun 'idée'.
Match the tone to the situation.
You missed your bus and it's raining. You say 'C'est génial'. What is your tone?
In a bad situation, 'C'est génial' is used ironically.
Complete the dialogue.
A: On va voir un film ce soir ? B: Oui, _________ !
'C'est génial' is the standard way to agree enthusiastically to a plan.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
When to say 'C'est génial !'
Good News
- • Promotion
- • New Baby
- • Winning
Great Plans
- • Vacation
- • Dinner
- • Concert
Cool Things
- • New Tech
- • Art
- • Movies
Génial vs. Gentil
Practice Bank
4 exercisesJ'ai gagné au loto !
We use 'C'est' + masculine singular adjective for general reactions.
C'est une idée _________ (génial).
The adjective must agree with the feminine noun 'idée'.
You missed your bus and it's raining. You say 'C'est génial'. What is your tone?
In a bad situation, 'C'est génial' is used ironically.
A: On va voir un film ce soir ? B: Oui, _________ !
'C'est génial' is the standard way to agree enthusiastically to a plan.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, but 'Il est génial' implies the person is exceptionally talented or has a brilliant personality. For just a 'nice' person, use 'Il est sympa'.
Only if you know the person well. In a formal email, use 'C'est une excellente nouvelle' or 'C'est parfait'.
The plural is 'géniaux' (masculine) and 'géniales' (feminine).
No, it's neutral-informal. It's perfectly acceptable in most daily conversations.
Use the imperfect tense: 'C'était génial !'
No, we don't usually use 'très' with 'génial' because 'génial' is already a superlative. Use 'vraiment' or 'absolument' instead.
'Génial' is slightly stronger and implies a bit more 'brilliance' or 'wow factor' than 'super'.
It's used by all ages, though younger people might add 'trop' or 'grave' for emphasis.
Yes! If a meal is exceptionally good, 'C'est génial' works, though 'C'est délicieux' is more specific.
Yes, 'géniale', but only when modifying a feminine noun directly (e.g., 'Une fête géniale').
Related Phrases
C'est super !
synonymThat's great!
C'est top !
similarThat's top-notch!
C'est nul.
contrastThat sucks.
C'est chouette !
similarThat's neat/nice!
C'est ouf !
slangThat's crazy/insane!
