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bien portant

A2 adjective #7,000 most common 11 min read

bien portant

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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips bien portant in 30 Seconds

Explanation bien portant in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just starting to describe people. 'Bien portant' is a useful phrase because it allows you to talk about health simply. You should learn it as a fixed expression meaning 'healthy.' At this stage, focus on the fact that it describes a person's physical state. You might use it to describe your family members. For example, 'Mon père est bien portant.' It is important to remember that 'bien' means 'well' and 'portant' comes from 'porter' (to carry), but together they just mean 'healthy.' You don't need to worry too much about the complex grammar yet, just remember to add an 'e' for a woman: 'Ma mère est bien portante.' This is a much better word to use than just saying 'pas malade' (not sick). It makes your French sound more advanced and positive right from the start. Think of it as a step up from 'Il va bien.'

At the A2 level, you should begin to understand the agreement of adjectives more clearly. 'Bien portant' is a perfect example of a compound adjective. You should be able to use it in the plural: 'Mes grands-parents sont bien portants.' You will also start to see it in short stories or simple news articles describing people. At this level, you should distinguish between 'être en forme' (to feel energetic) and 'être bien portant' (to be generally healthy/sturdy). A2 learners should be able to use this word to describe babies, elderly people, and themselves in a medical context. For instance, when a doctor asks how you are, you can say 'Je suis habituellement bien portant.' You should also recognize that this word is more common when talking about someone's constitution rather than a temporary state like a cold. It's a key vocabulary word for the 'Health' and 'Describing People' themes in A2 exams.

At the B1 level, you need to grasp the nuances of the word. You should understand that 'bien portant' can sometimes be a polite way to describe someone who is a bit 'sturdy' or 'heavyset' but in a healthy way. This is a cultural nuance that is important for social interactions. You should also be comfortable using it in more complex sentences with conjunctions. For example: 'Bien qu'il soit âgé, il reste très bien portant.' You should also start to use synonyms like 'robuste' or 'vigoureux' depending on the context. At B1, you are expected to handle more formal situations, such as writing a letter about a relative's health or describing a character in a book. Understanding that 'bien portant' is slightly more formal than 'en bonne santé' in certain written contexts is a sign of B1 proficiency. You should also be careful with the word order, ensuring it usually follows the noun or the verb 'être.'

At the B2 level, you should be aware of the idiomatic origins of the phrase. It comes from the reflexive verb 'se porter,' and understanding this connection helps you use other related expressions like 'Comment vous portez-vous ?' or 'Il se porte comme un charme' (He's as healthy as a horse). You should be able to use 'bien portant' in argumentative essays or formal reports, perhaps when discussing public health or the aging population. For example: 'Une population bien portante est le socle d'une économie productive.' You should also be able to recognize when 'bien portant' is used ironically or metaphorically, although its metaphorical use is rare compared to 'en bonne santé.' At this level, your use of the feminine and plural forms should be flawless, and you should be able to explain the difference between 'bien portant' and its antonyms like 'chétif' or 'malingre' using advanced French vocabulary.

At the C1 level, you should appreciate the stylistic value of 'bien portant.' In literature, it can be used to set a scene or define a character's social standing and physical presence. You should understand the historical context of the word—how being 'bien portant' was a sign of wealth in the 19th century. You should be able to use it in high-level academic or professional discourse. For instance, in a medical or psychological context, you might refer to 'sujets bien portants' as a standard term for a control group. You should also be able to navigate the subtle social boundaries of the word, knowing exactly when it might be perceived as a comment on someone's weight versus their health. Your vocabulary should include related high-level terms like 'valétudinaire' (the opposite: someone of sickly health) to contrast with 'bien portant.' You should also be able to use it in complex grammatical structures, such as within a gerund or a passive construction if necessary.

At the C2 level, you have a near-native grasp of 'bien portant.' You understand all its subtle connotations, including its use in different regions of the French-speaking world. You can use it with precision in creative writing to evoke a specific image of a character. You are aware of its etymological roots in the Latin 'portare' and how the concept of 'carrying oneself' has evolved in French compared to other Romance languages. You can discuss the philosophical implications of what it means to be 'bien portant' in a modern society obsessed with medicalization. In professional translation or high-level interpretation, you would know when 'bien portant' is best translated as 'healthy,' 'robust,' 'hearty,' or 'able-bodied' depending on the specific register and nuance of the source text. You are also capable of playing with the word in puns or sophisticated humor, fully aware of its slightly traditional, reassuring 'vibe' in the French collective consciousness.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

bien portant in 30 Seconds

Bien portant means 'healthy' or 'robust' when describing people.
It is a compound adjective that must agree in gender and number.
It often implies a sturdy or hearty physical appearance.
It is commonly used for children, the elderly, and in medical contexts.

The French adjective bien portant is a compound expression that translates most directly to healthy or in good health when referring specifically to a person's physical state. Unlike the more clinical term en bonne santé, bien portant carries a specific connotation of physical robustness, vigor, and a solid constitution. It literally derives from the verb se porter, which in French is used to ask about someone's health, as in the common greeting Comment vous portez-vous ? (How are you carrying yourself / How is your health?). Therefore, someone who is bien portant is someone who 'carries themselves well' in a physical sense.

Physical Appearance: This term often implies a certain physical presence. It suggests that the person looks healthy, perhaps with a bit of color in their cheeks or a sturdy frame. In some contexts, particularly older or more traditional ones, it can be a polite euphemism for being slightly plump or 'sturdy,' which was historically viewed as a sign of good health and prosperity.

Malgré ses quatre-vingts ans, mon grand-père est toujours un homme bien portant qui travaille encore dans son jardin tous les matins.

You will most frequently encounter this word when people are discussing the elderly, children, or someone recovering from an illness. It serves as a reassuring descriptor. If a doctor says a patient is bien portant, it means they have no underlying illnesses and possess a strong physical constitution. It is less about being 'fit' in an athletic sense (for which you would use en forme) and more about being 'hearty' and free from disease.

Agreement Rules: As an adjective, it must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies: un homme bien portant, une femme bien portante, des enfants bien portants, and des filles bien portantes.

Elle a donné naissance à une petite fille très portante qui pèse déjà quatre kilos.

Historically, the concept of being bien portant was tied to the idea of 'carrying' one's weight and social status. In rural French culture, a child who was bien portant was a source of pride, indicating that the family was well-fed and the child was resilient against the hardships of farm life. Today, while the aesthetic ideals have shifted toward thinness, the term remains a cornerstone of the French vocabulary for describing general well-being and a lack of frailty.

Social Nuance: In a social setting, calling someone bien portant is always a compliment. It implies they have a 'bonne mine' (a healthy look/glow). It is the opposite of looking 'chétif' (puny) or 'malingre' (sickly).

Il est revenu de vacances tout bronzé et visiblement très bien portant.

Using bien portant correctly requires understanding its role as a compound adjective. It is formed by the adverb bien and the present participle of the verb porter, acting as an adjective. This means it follows the standard rules of adjective placement and agreement in French grammar. Most commonly, it is used as an attribute adjective after state verbs like être (to be), paraître (to appear), or sembler (to seem).

Standard Agreement: Ensure the ending changes based on the subject:
• Masculin Singulier: bien portant
• Féminin Singulier: bien portante
• Masculin Pluriel: bien portants
• Féminin Pluriel: bien portantes

Les deux frères sont très bien portants et ne tombent jamais malades.

When using bien portant to describe a baby or a young child, the focus is often on their growth and vitality. For example, Un bébé bien portant suggests a baby who is eating well and gaining weight appropriately. In this context, it is synonymous with 'thriving.' For an adult, it might be used to contrast their current state with a previous period of illness: Après son opération, il est de nouveau bien portant. (After his surgery, he is healthy again.)

Placement in Sentences: While it usually follows the verb 'être', it can also be placed directly after a noun: C'est un jeune homme bien portant. This follows the general French rule that longer, compound adjectives come after the noun.

Elle cherche un donneur de sang bien portant et sans antécédents médicaux.

Furthermore, bien portant can be modified by adverbs of degree such as très (very), assez (quite), or particulièrement (particularly). This allows for nuance in describing someone's health. For instance, Il est particulièrement bien portant pour son âge emphasizes that their health is exceptional given their years. It is also used in the negative to express a lack of health, though pas très bien portant is often used as a gentle way to say someone is sickly or frail without being blunt.

Common Comparisons: You might hear: Il est plus bien portant que son frère. (He is healthier/sturdier than his brother.) However, it is more common to use 'plus vigoureux' or 'en meilleure santé' for direct comparisons of degree.

Les athlètes sont généralement des individus extrêmement bien portants.

The phrase bien portant is a staple of everyday French, yet it maintains a certain level of dignity that makes it suitable for various environments. You will hear it in family settings, medical consultations, and even in literature. Understanding where and how it is used can help you grasp the subtle cultural weight it carries in the Francophone world.

In the Family Circle: Grandparents are often the focus of this adjective. When a relative asks, Comment va ta grand-mère ?, a common and reassuring answer is Elle est encore bien portante, Dieu merci. It conveys that she is not just alive, but active and physically sound.

Regarde ce petit, il est si bien portant avec ses joues rouges !

In medical or professional health contexts, a doctor might use bien portant to describe the control group in a study or a patient who shows no signs of illness. For example, Nous avons besoin de dix volontaires bien portants pour cet essai clinique. This usage is formal and precise, indicating a person who meets all the criteria for good health. It is also found in legal or insurance documents to describe a person's state at the time of signing.

In Literature and Media: Classic French novels from authors like Balzac or Zola often use bien portant to describe characters who represent vitality or the bourgeois class. In modern news, it might be used to describe a public figure's health status after a health scare: Le président est apparu bien portant lors de sa dernière allocution.

Le médecin a confirmé que tous les membres de la famille étaient bien portants.

Finally, you will hear it in the context of 'sujets bien portants' in scientific journals or psychology papers. It refers to the 'healthy subjects' or 'non-clinical population.' This highlights the word's versatility, moving from a warm, familial observation to a cold, scientific categorization without losing its core meaning of being in a state of physical wellness.

The Euphemistic Use: While less common in urban youth slang, older generations might use bien portant to avoid saying someone is 'gros' (fat). It focuses on the positive aspect of having a 'strong' body rather than the negative aspect of weight. It is a way to be polite while acknowledging a person's size.

Il n'est pas maigre, il est juste bien portant, c'est sa constitution naturelle.

Learning to use bien portant involves avoiding several common pitfalls that English speakers often encounter. Because the phrase is a compound of two common words, it is easy to misinterpret its specific meaning or misapply French grammar rules. Here are the most frequent errors and how to avoid them.

Confusion with 'En Forme': Mistake: Using 'bien portant' to say someone is 'fit' or 'athletic'.
Correction: Use en forme or sportif. Bien portant means you are healthy and not sick, but it doesn't necessarily mean you can run a marathon. It's about general constitution, not necessarily athletic performance.

Incorrect: Il s'entraîne tous les jours, il est très bien portant.
Correct: Il s'entraîne tous les jours, il est très en forme.

Another common error is failing to make the adjective agree with the subject. Since portant looks like a verb form (the present participle), some learners forget that in this context, it functions as an adjective. You must add an 'e' for feminine and an 's' for plural. Forgetting the 'e' in bien portante when describing a woman is a very common mistake for A2 and B1 level learners.

Literal Translation Error: Mistake: Translating 'well-carrying' literally.
Correction: If you say Il porte bien, it usually means he wears clothes well or he carries his age well. If you want to say he is healthy, you must include the participle: Il est bien portant.

Incorrect: Mon oncle porte bien. (This means he wears things well).
Correct: Mon oncle est bien portant. (This means he is healthy).

Be careful with the nuance of weight. While bien portant is a positive term, using it to describe someone who is very self-conscious about their weight might be misinterpreted as a comment on their size rather than their health. In modern, fitness-obsessed circles, some might prefer en bonne santé to avoid any implication of being 'sturdy' or 'plump.' Always consider your audience when using descriptors related to physical constitution.

Using it for Inanimate Objects: Mistake: Saying a car or a business is 'bien portant'.
Correction: While you can say a business is florissante or en bonne santé (metaphorically), bien portant is almost exclusively reserved for living beings, primarily humans and occasionally animals.

Incorrect: Cette entreprise est bien portante.
Correct: Cette entreprise est prospère.

French offers a variety of ways to describe health and physical condition. While bien portant is a great all-rounder, choosing a more specific alternative can make your French sound more natural and precise. Here is a comparison with similar terms.

En Bonne Santé vs Bien Portant: En bonne santé is the most neutral and common way to say 'in good health.' It is a general statement. Bien portant adds a layer of 'looking' healthy and having a strong constitution. You can be en bonne santé but look thin and frail; you cannot be bien portant and look frail.

Il est en bonne santé d'après ses analyses, mais il ne semble pas très bien portant en ce moment.

Another alternative is vigoureux (vigorous). This term emphasizes energy and strength even more than bien portant. It is often used for elderly people who are still very active or for plants and animals. Robuste (robust) is another close synonym, focusing on the ability to withstand hardship or illness. If bien portant is 'healthy,' robuste is 'sturdy' or 'tough.'

En Forme vs Bien Portant: En forme refers to your current level of energy or fitness. You can be bien portant (not sick) but not en forme (feeling tired today). Conversely, an athlete is en forme because they train, but bien portant is their natural baseline state.

Je suis bien portant en général, mais ce matin je ne me sens pas en forme.

For a more informal or slang approach, you might hear péter le feu (literally 'to fart fire,' meaning to be bursting with energy) or avoir la pêche (to have the peach). These are much more casual than bien portant. On the more formal side, valide is used to describe someone who is physically capable and not disabled, often in administrative or medical contexts.

Summary of Nuances: • Sain : Pure, healthy (often used for food or habits).
• Costaud : Strong, heavily built.
• Vif : Lively, alert.
• Solide : Physically grounded and strong.

C'est un gaillard bien portant qui ne craint pas le froid.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In the Middle Ages, 'se porter' was used to describe how a knight carried himself in armor. If he carried himself well, he was strong and healthy.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /bjɛ̃ pɔʁ.tɑ̃/

US /bjɛ̃ pɔr.tɑ̃/

The stress in French is usually on the final syllable of the rhythmic group: 'bien por-TANT'.

Rhymes With

important chantant content instant pourtant vivant devant souvent

Common Errors

Pronouncing the final 't' in 'portant'. It is silent.
Not nasalizing the 'en' in 'bien'.
Not nasalizing the 'an' in 'portant'.
Pronouncing 'portant' like the English 'important' (the 'i' sound is different).
Failing to pronounce the 'e' at the end of 'portante' (feminine form).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize as 'well' + 'carrying'.

Writing 3/5

Requires remembering the agreement of the participle.

Speaking 2/5

Simple to pronounce once nasals are mastered.

Listening 2/5

Clear and distinct in spoken French.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

bien porter santé être corps

Learn Next

vigoureux robuste malingre chétif guérir

Advanced

valétudinaire cacochyme ingambe étiolé repsu

Grammar to Know

Adjective Agreement

Une femme bien portante.

Present Participle as Adjective

Un homme charmant, un homme portant.

Adverbial Modification

Très bien portant.

Compound Adjectives

Bien-aimé, bien portant.

State Verbs

Il semble bien portant.

Examples by Level

Mon grand-père est bien portant.

My grandfather is healthy.

Subject (Mon grand-père) is masculine singular, so 'bien portant' has no extra ending.

Ma grand-mère est bien portante.

My grandmother is healthy.

Subject (Ma grand-mère) is feminine singular, so we add 'e' to 'portant'.

Le bébé est très bien portant.

The baby is very healthy.

The adverb 'très' modifies the adjective 'bien portant'.

Est-ce que tu es bien portant ?

Are you healthy?

A simple question using 'être' and the adjective.

Nous sommes tous bien portants dans ma famille.

We are all healthy in my family.

Plural agreement: we add 's' to 'portant'.

Il n'est pas très bien portant aujourd'hui.

He is not very healthy today.

Negative structure 'ne...pas' around the verb 'est'.

Elle semble bien portante.

She seems healthy.

Using the state verb 'sembler' (to seem).

Mes amis sont bien portants.

My friends are healthy.

Masculine plural agreement: 'portants'.

Pour son âge, il est vraiment bien portant.

For his age, he is really healthy.

The phrase 'pour son âge' provides context for the adjective.

Les enfants sont bien portants grâce à une bonne alimentation.

The children are healthy thanks to a good diet.

Plural agreement 'portants' matches 'les enfants'.

Elle est restée bien portante tout l'hiver.

She stayed healthy all winter.

Verb 'rester' (to stay/remain) acts as a state verb here.

C'est un homme bien portant qui aime le sport.

He is a healthy man who loves sports.

Adjective follows the noun 'homme'.

Ma tante est une femme bien portante et dynamique.

My aunt is a healthy and dynamic woman.

Feminine singular agreement 'portante'.

Ils paraissent bien portants malgré le froid.

They appear healthy despite the cold.

Verb 'paraître' (to appear) + plural adjective.

Le médecin dit que je suis bien portant.

The doctor says that I am healthy.

Direct object clause with 'que'.

Toute la classe est bien portante cette semaine.

The whole class is healthy this week.

'La classe' is feminine singular, so 'portante'.

Bien qu'il ait eu un accident, il est à présent bien portant.

Although he had an accident, he is now healthy.

Use of 'bien que' with the subjunctive 'ait'.

Il est important de rester bien portant pour profiter de la vie.

It is important to stay healthy to enjoy life.

Infinitive phrase 'rester bien portant'.

Elle a toujours été une enfant bien portante et vigoureuse.

She has always been a healthy and vigorous child.

Compound tense 'a été' with feminine agreement.

Les personnes bien portantes sont invitées à donner leur sang.

Healthy people are invited to donate their blood.

Adjective used as a descriptor for the subject.

On le trouve très bien portant depuis son retour de vacances.

We find him very healthy since his return from vacation.

Direct object 'le' described by 'bien portant'.

Il n'y a rien de plus précieux que d'être bien portant.

There is nothing more precious than being healthy.

Comparative structure with 'plus... que'.

Elle s'inquiète pour son fils, bien qu'il semble bien portant.

She worries about her son, although he seems healthy.

Subjunctive mood after 'bien que'.

Les athlètes doivent être bien portants pour concourir.

Athletes must be healthy to compete.

Modal verb 'doivent' + infinitive 'être'.

Une alimentation équilibrée est la clé pour rester bien portant sur le long terme.

A balanced diet is the key to staying healthy in the long term.

Prepositional phrase 'sur le long terme'.

Malgré les épidémies, la population locale est restée globalement bien portante.

Despite the epidemics, the local population has remained generally healthy.

Adverb 'globalement' modifying the state.

Il affiche une mine bien portante qui rassure tout son entourage.

He shows a healthy look that reassures everyone around him.

Noun phrase 'une mine bien portante'.

L'étude porte sur un groupe de sujets bien portants âgés de 20 à 30 ans.

The study focuses on a group of healthy subjects aged 20 to 30.

Technical use of 'sujets bien portants'.

Elle a une constitution si bien portante qu'elle ne prend jamais de médicaments.

She has such a healthy constitution that she never takes medicine.

Consecutive clause with 'si... que'.

Le vieil homme se félicitait d'être encore aussi bien portant.

The old man congratulated himself on being still so healthy.

Reflexive verb 'se féliciter' followed by 'de'.

Il est rare de voir quelqu'un d'aussi bien portant après une telle épreuve.

It is rare to see someone so healthy after such an ordeal.

Impersonal construction 'Il est rare de...'.

Les critères pour être considéré comme bien portant ont évolué avec le temps.

The criteria for being considered healthy have evolved over time.

Passive-like construction 'être considéré comme'.

L'auteur dépeint son héros comme un colosse bien portant, symbole de la force paysanne.

The author depicts his hero as a healthy colossus, a symbol of peasant strength.

Literary description using 'comme'.

Il ne suffit pas de paraître bien portant pour l'être réellement à l'intérieur.

It is not enough to appear healthy to actually be so on the inside.

Pronoun 'l' replacing the adjective 'bien portant'.

Sa physionomie bien portante contrastait singulièrement avec la maigreur de son frère.

His healthy appearance contrasted singularly with his brother's thinness.

Contrastive sentence with 'contrastait avec'.

Les politiques de santé publique visent à maintenir les citoyens bien portants le plus longtemps possible.

Public health policies aim to keep citizens healthy as long as possible.

Verb 'maintenir' + object + adjective.

Elle conservait, malgré les années, cette allure bien portante qui la caractérisait.

She kept, despite the years, that healthy look that characterized her.

Relative clause 'qui la caractérisait'.

On ne saurait être bien portant sans un équilibre mental adéquat.

One cannot be healthy without adequate mental balance.

Formal negative 'ne saurait être'.

Le patient, bien que techniquement bien portant, se plaignait de fatigues chroniques.

The patient, although technically healthy, complained of chronic fatigue.

Concessive clause with 'bien que'.

L'idéal classique de l'homme bien portant incluait une certaine robustesse physique.

The classical ideal of the healthy man included a certain physical robustness.

Historical/Academic register.

Dans la littérature balzacienne, le personnage bien portant incarne souvent la réussite matérielle.

In Balzac's literature, the healthy character often embodies material success.

Contextual literary analysis.

L'ambiguïté du terme 'bien portant' réside dans sa possible connotation d'embonpoint.

The ambiguity of the term 'bien portant' lies in its possible connotation of plumpness.

Linguistic analysis register.

Il est impératif d'étudier les interactions sociales des individus bien portants pour comprendre la norme.

It is imperative to study the social interactions of healthy individuals to understand the norm.

Complex scientific sentence structure.

Sa nature bien portante lui a permis de surmonter des épreuves qui en auraient terrassé d'autres.

His healthy nature allowed him to overcome ordeals that would have crushed others.

Use of conditional past 'auraient terrassé'.

Le paradoxe de la médecine moderne est de traiter des gens bien portants comme s'ils étaient malades.

The paradox of modern medicine is treating healthy people as if they were sick.

Hypothetical comparison with 'comme si'.

Rien n'est plus trompeur qu'une apparence bien portante dissimulant une fragilité psychologique.

Nothing is more misleading than a healthy appearance hiding a psychological fragility.

Negative comparative structure.

Elle incarnait cette vitalité rustique, celle d'une paysanne bien portante et fière.

She embodied that rustic vitality, that of a healthy and proud peasant woman.

Demonstrative pronoun 'celle' referring to vitality.

Le concept de 'bien portant' s'efface parfois devant les diktats de la minceur contemporaine.

The concept of 'healthy' sometimes fades before the dictates of contemporary thinness.

Abstract metaphorical usage.

Common Collocations

homme bien portant

enfant bien portant

paraître bien portant

rester bien portant

sujet bien portant

individu bien portant

visiblement bien portant

encore bien portant

très bien portant

être considéré comme bien portant

Common Phrases

Il se porte bien.

— He is doing well / He is healthy. This uses the verb form from which the adjective is derived.

Depuis son opération, il se porte bien.

Un gros bébé bien portant.

— A big, healthy baby. A classic way to describe a thriving infant.

C'est un gros bébé bien portant de cinq kilos.

Être frais et bien portant.

— To be fresh and healthy. Often used to describe someone who looks rested and vibrant.

Elle est revenue de sa cure fraîche et bien portante.

Pas très bien portant.

— Not very healthy. A polite way to say someone is frail or sickly.

Son oncle n'est pas très bien portant ces derniers temps.

Rester bien portant.

— To stay healthy. Often used in advice or health tips.

Il mange des légumes pour rester bien portant.

Un homme mûr et bien portant.

— A mature and healthy man. A standard descriptive phrase.

Il cherchait un homme mûr et bien portant pour le rôle.

Paraître plus bien portant.

— To appear healthier. Used when someone's look improves.

Tu parais bien plus portant depuis que tu dors mieux.

Se sentir bien portant.

— To feel healthy. Focuses on the internal sensation of wellness.

Je me sens enfin bien portant après cette grippe.

Un vieillard bien portant.

— A healthy old man. Emphasizes longevity and vigor.

C'est un vieillard bien portant qui vit seul.

Une mine bien portante.

— A healthy look. Refers specifically to the facial appearance.

Il a une mine bien portante aujourd'hui.

Often Confused With

bien portant vs bien porté

Refers to clothes that look good or carrying one's age well.

bien portant vs bien-être

A noun meaning 'well-being' rather than 'healthy'.

bien portant vs bon port

Part of the phrase 'arriver à bon port' (to arrive safely).

Idioms & Expressions

"Se porter comme un charme"

— To be as healthy as a horse / to be perfectly healthy.

Ne t'inquiète pas pour moi, je me porte comme un charme.

informal

"Se porter comme le Pont-Neuf"

— To be in excellent health. (An old Parisian idiom comparing health to the sturdiness of the bridge).

Mon grand-père se porte comme le Pont-Neuf.

traditional

"Être bon pied, bon œil"

— To be alert and healthy, especially for an older person.

À 90 ans, il est encore bon pied, bon œil.

neutral

"Péter le feu"

— To be full of energy and health.

Depuis qu'il a arrêté de fumer, il pète le feu.

slang

"Avoir une santé de fer"

— To have an iron constitution / never get sick.

Elle ne tombe jamais malade, elle a une santé de fer.

neutral

"Être dans son assiette"

— To feel well / like oneself (usually used in the negative).

Il n'est pas très dans son assiette aujourd'hui.

informal

"Avoir la pêche"

— To be in great shape and full of energy.

Ce matin, j'ai vraiment la pêche !

informal

"Se porter à merveille"

— To be doing wonderfully well (health-wise).

Les enfants se portent à merveille.

neutral

"Être vert"

— To be vigorous and healthy despite being old.

C'est un vieillard encore très vert.

literary

"Être d'une santé florissante"

— To be in flourishing health.

Il jouit d'une santé florissante.

formal

Easily Confused

bien portant vs en forme

Both mean healthy.

'En forme' is about energy and fitness; 'bien portant' is about general constitution and lack of illness.

Je suis bien portant mais pas en forme aujourd'hui.

bien portant vs sain

Both translate to healthy.

'Sain' often refers to food, habits, or mental state; 'bien portant' is physical and personal.

Manger sain aide à rester bien portant.

bien portant vs robuste

Both describe a strong body.

'Robuste' is more about strength and endurance; 'bien portant' is a general state of health.

Il est robuste et bien portant.

bien portant vs vigoureux

Both describe vitality.

'Vigoureux' is more energetic and forceful.

Une croissance vigoureuse.

bien portant vs valide

Both describe physical ability.

'Valide' is the opposite of disabled; 'bien portant' is the opposite of sick.

Il est encore valide.

Sentence Patterns

[Subject] + être + bien portant.

Je suis bien portant.

[Subject] + être + très + bien portant.

Elle est très bien portante.

[Subject] + sembler + bien portant + malgré + [Noun].

Il semble bien portant malgré son âge.

Il est important de + rester + bien portant.

Il est important de rester bien portant.

Paraître bien portant ne signifie pas...

Paraître bien portant ne signifie pas l'être.

L'individu, bien que techniquement bien portant...

L'individu, bien que techniquement bien portant, est fragile.

C'est un [Noun] bien portant.

C'est un bébé bien portant.

Est-ce que [Subject] est bien portant ?

Est-ce qu'il est bien portant ?

Word Family

Nouns

port

portée

porteur

comportement

Verbs

porter

se porter

apporter

emporter

comporter

Adjectives

portable

portatif

porteur

santé

vigueur

constitution

embonpoint

aspect

How to Use It

frequency

Common in daily speech and writing.

Common Mistakes

Il est bien porté. → Il est bien portant.
'Bien porté' refers to clothes or age; 'bien portant' refers to health.
Elle est bien portant. → Elle est bien portante.
Adjectives must agree in gender. Add 'e' for feminine.
Ils sont biens portants. → Ils sont bien portants.
The adverb 'bien' is invariable and never takes an 's'.
Je suis bien portant aujourd'hui (meaning energetic). → Je suis en forme aujourd'hui.
'Bien portant' is general health; 'en forme' is energy.
Ma voiture est bien portante. → Ma voiture est en bon état.
'Bien portant' is only for living beings.

Tips

Agreement is Key

Always remember to match 'portant' with the subject. One woman = portante. Multiple women = portantes. Multiple men = portants.

Medical Contexts

If you are at a doctor's office in France, 'bien portant' is a professional way to describe your general state of health.

Polite Euphemism

Use 'bien portant' to describe someone's weight positively if they look strong rather than just overweight.

Vs En Forme

Use 'en forme' for short-term energy and 'bien portant' for long-term health constitution.

Literature

Look for this word in 19th-century French novels to see how it describes character vitality.

Silent Letters

The 't' at the end of 'portant' and 'portants' is silent. Only pronounce the 't' in the feminine 'portante' or 'portantes'.

No Hyphen

Do not put a hyphen between 'bien' and 'portant'. They are two separate words working together.

Porter Connection

Remember the verb 'porter' (to carry). A healthy person carries their body well.

Elderly People

This is the best word to use when complimenting an older person on their health.

Positive Vibe

This word always carries a positive, reassuring connotation. It's a 'feel-good' adjective.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a person who is 'well-carrying' (bien portant). They carry their body and their health with ease because they are strong.

Visual Association

Imagine a sturdy, smiling grandfather carrying a large basket of apples from his garden. He is 'bien portant.'

Word Web

Santé Fort Vigoureux Bien Porter Corps Énergie Robuste

Challenge

Try to describe three people you know using 'bien portant', 'bien portante', and 'bien portants' in full sentences.

Word Origin

From the French adverb 'bien' (well) and the present participle 'portant' of the verb 'porter' (to carry). It stems from the reflexive usage 'se porter,' which has meant 'to be in a certain state of health' since the 12th century.

Original meaning: Literally 'carrying oneself well.'

Romance (Latin: bene + portare).

Cultural Context

Be aware that for some, 'bien portant' can imply being slightly overweight, so use it carefully with people very sensitive about their weight.

In English, we often just say 'healthy,' but 'bien portant' is closer to 'hearty' or 'robust.'

Le Malade imaginaire by Molière (where the protagonist is anything but bien portant). French medical journals often use 'sujets bien portants' for control groups. Classic French literature often uses it to describe the 'bonne bourgeoisie'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Medical check-up

Je suis bien portant.
Le patient est bien portant.
Avez-vous des sujets bien portants ?
Il paraît bien portant.

Family news

Tout le monde est bien portant.
Ta grand-mère est-elle bien portante ?
Les enfants sont bien portants.
Il est encore bien portant.

Describing a baby

C'est un bébé bien portant.
Elle est très bien portante.
Un petit garçon bien portant.
Il pèse lourd, il est bien portant.

Recovery from illness

Il est de nouveau bien portant.
Elle redevient bien portante.
Je me sens bien portant.
Enfin bien portant !

Old age

Un vieillard bien portant.
Elle reste bien portante.
Il est bien portant malgré son âge.
Une vieillesse bien portante.

Conversation Starters

"Est-ce que ta famille est bien portante en ce moment ?"

"Comment fais-tu pour rester aussi bien portant avec tout ce travail ?"

"Ton grand-père a l'air vraiment bien portant, quel est son secret ?"

"Est-ce qu'on peut dire qu'un athlète est toujours bien portant ?"

"Préfères-tu paraître bien portant ou être simplement en forme ?"

Journal Prompts

Décrivez une personne de votre entourage qui est particulièrement bien portante.

Quelles sont les habitudes nécessaires pour rester bien portant selon vous ?

Racontez une fois où vous n'étiez pas bien portant et comment vous avez guéri.

Pourquoi est-il important d'être bien portant pour accomplir ses rêves ?

Comparez les expressions 'bien portant' et 'en forme' dans votre propre vie.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Not necessarily. While it can be used as a polite euphemism for being 'sturdy' or 'plump,' its primary meaning is simply being in good health and looking robust. In a modern context, it is mostly a positive comment on someone's physical state.

Yes, you can use it for animals to describe them as healthy and sturdy. For example, 'Mon chat est bien portant.' It sounds quite natural.

It is written as two separate words: 'bien portant.' There is no hyphen between them, unlike in 'bien-être' or 'bien-aimé'.

The feminine plural form is 'bien portantes.' You add an 'e' for feminine and an 's' for plural. Example: 'Elles sont bien portantes.'

It is neutral to slightly formal. It is more sophisticated than 'en bonne santé' but very common in everyday conversation among adults.

Yes, 'très bien portant' is a very common way to emphasize that someone is in excellent health. It is used frequently for babies and the elderly.

The most direct opposites are 'malade' (sick) or 'chétif' (puny/frail). You can also say 'pas très bien portant' for a more polite negative.

No, 'bien portant' is for living beings. For a company, use 'prospère' or 'en bonne santé' (metaphorically).

In French, adverbs like 'bien' never change their form. Only the adjective part 'portant' agrees with the noun it modifies.

It is a nasal vowel. Open your mouth slightly and let the air go through your nose. It sounds like the 'an' in 'maman' or 'enfant'.