Significado
Used to express disapproval or that something tastes bad.
Contexto cultural
The French are known for their high standards in gastronomy. Saying 'C'est mauvais' in a restaurant is a serious statement and usually implies a technical failure in the kitchen, not just a personal dislike. In Quebec, 'C'est plate' is often used where a French person might say 'C'est mauvais' or 'C'est nul', specifically when something is boring or disappointing. In some African Francophone cultures, 'mauvais' can be used to describe a person's 'heart' or character very directly, often in a moral or spiritual sense. Swiss French speakers might use 'C'est chenit' (informal) to describe a mess or something that is 'bad' because it is disorganized.
The Litotes Trick
If you want to sound more French, say 'C'est pas mauvais' to mean 'It's actually quite good'.
Careful with People
Saying 'Il est mauvais' about a person means they are bad at their job or a bad person. It's a strong insult.
Significado
Used to express disapproval or that something tastes bad.
The Litotes Trick
If you want to sound more French, say 'C'est pas mauvais' to mean 'It's actually quite good'.
Careful with People
Saying 'Il est mauvais' about a person means they are bad at their job or a bad person. It's a strong insult.
Agreement Rule
Remember: C'est + [Masculine Adjective]. Always. 'La bière, c'est mauvais' is correct French.
Don't be too blunt
In social situations, prefer 'C'est pas mon préféré' over 'C'est mauvais' to avoid offending your host.
Teste-se
Complete the sentence with 'mauvais' or 'mauvaise'.
Cette pizza est vraiment ___.
Since we are using 'Cette pizza est...', the adjective must agree with the feminine noun 'pizza'.
Which phrase is used to say 'It's bad for your health'?
Fumer, ___.
'C'est mauvais pour la santé' is the standard idiomatic expression for health risks.
Match the French phrase to its English equivalent.
Match the pairs:
Understanding the difference between quality (mauvais) and morality (mal) is key.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Tu as aimé le concert ? B: Non, le son était ___.
The speaker says 'Non', so they need a negative adjective. 'Mauvais' describes the quality of the sound.
In which situation would you say 'C'est mauvais'?
Select the correct situation.
'C'est mauvais' is perfect for bad taste. For stealing, you'd say 'C'est mal'.
🎉 Pontuação: /5
Recursos visuais
Mauvais vs. Mal
Banco de exercicios
5 exerciciosCette pizza est vraiment ___.
Since we are using 'Cette pizza est...', the adjective must agree with the feminine noun 'pizza'.
Fumer, ___.
'C'est mauvais pour la santé' is the standard idiomatic expression for health risks.
Combine cada item a esquerda com seu par a direita:
Understanding the difference between quality (mauvais) and morality (mal) is key.
A: Tu as aimé le concert ? B: Non, le son était ___.
The speaker says 'Non', so they need a negative adjective. 'Mauvais' describes the quality of the sound.
Select the correct situation.
'C'est mauvais' is perfect for bad taste. For stealing, you'd say 'C'est mal'.
🎉 Pontuação: /5
Perguntas frequentes
14 perguntasYes, but it's very negative. It implies they are incompetent or morally corrupt. For a 'mean' person, 'méchant' is better.
'Mauvais' is an adjective (describes things). 'Mal' is an adverb (describes actions) or a noun (evil).
It is grammatically correct but socially blunt. Use it for objects or abstract concepts, but be careful with food someone cooked for you.
Say 'Je me sens mal'. If you say 'Je sens mauvais', it means 'I smell bad'!
Yes, 'très' (very) works perfectly with 'mauvais'.
The feminine is 'mauvaise'. Use it when describing a feminine noun directly: 'Une mauvaise idée'.
'C'est nul' is more informal and often means 'boring' or 'lame' as well as 'bad'.
Yes, 'Le temps est mauvais' or 'Il fait mauvais' are very common.
The opposite is 'C'est bon' (for taste/quality) or 'C'est bien' (for general goodness).
The comparative is 'pire'. 'C'est pire que...' (It's worse than...).
No, for 'wrong' (incorrect), use 'faux'. For 'wrong' (immoral), use 'mal'.
Yes, to describe 'mauvais résultats' (bad results) or a 'mauvaise gestion' (bad management).
Not really, 'mauvais' is quite standard. Slang uses 'naze', 'pété', or 'pourri'.
It's a common French way of being modest or giving a compliment without sounding too enthusiastic.
Frases relacionadas
C'est nul
synonymIt's rubbish / lame
C'est pas bon
similarIt's not good
C'est mal
contrastIt's wrong / evil
C'est pire
builds onIt's worse
C'est médiocre
specialized formIt's mediocre
C'est dégueulasse
similarIt's disgusting
