25 Ways To Say 'Very Good' In French: The Ultimate 2025 Guide To Sounding Native

Are you tired of only saying "Très bien" every time you want to express approval in French? While *très bien* is grammatically correct and universally understood, relying on it exclusively makes you sound like you are reading from a textbook. The French language, rich with nuance and emotion, offers a vibrant spectrum of words to convey "very good," ranging from sophisticated compliments in a formal setting to modern, casual slang used by young Parisians today in late 2025.

Mastering these alternatives is the key to unlocking true fluency and topical authority in your French conversations. This comprehensive guide breaks down the essential vocabulary, crucial grammatical distinctions, and the latest slang, ensuring you always have the perfect phrase for any situation, whether you're complimenting a Michelin-star meal or a friend's new idea.

The Foundational Rule: Très Bon vs. Très Bien

Before diving into the exciting alternatives, it is crucial to understand the fundamental difference between the two most basic ways to say "very good": *très bon* and *très bien*. This distinction is a cornerstone of French grammar and will instantly elevate your speech.

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• Très Bon (Very Good): Use *bon* as an adjective, meaning it describes a noun (a person, a thing, a meal, a movie, an idea). It must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies (e.g., *une bonne idée* - a good idea; *de bons amis* - good friends). When used to describe food, it translates to "tasty" or "delicious."
• Très Bien (Very Well/Good): Use *bien* as an adverb, meaning it describes a verb (an action). It translates to "very well." This is the most common general response for expressing approval of an action or performance. For example, "You did very well" is *Tu as très bien fait*.

The Crucial Mistake: Never say *C'est très bon* to a person to compliment their character or performance, as it implies they are "tasty" or "good-looking" (which might be what you mean, but usually isn't!). Stick to *C'est très bien* or *Tu as très bien travaillé* for praising an action.

10 Formal and Powerful Ways to Express Excellence

When you need to convey genuine admiration in a professional, academic, or high-stakes social setting, these phrases offer a level of gravitas that *très bien* simply cannot match. These are your go-to phrases for a job interview, a business presentation, or a formal review.

1. Parfait ! (Perfect!) - Simple, strong, and universally understood.
2. Excellent ! (Excellent!) - A direct and formal equivalent.
3. Formidable ! (Terrific! / Wonderful!) - Conveys a strong sense of admiration.
4. Merveilleux / Merveilleuse ! (Wonderful! / Marvelous!) - Used as an adjective, great for describing an event or object.
5. Exceptionnel(le) ! (Exceptional!) - For something truly outstanding and rare.
6. Remarquable ! (Remarkable!) - Highlights something that stands out from the rest.
7. Impressionnant ! (Impressive!) - Used when something has made a strong impact on you.
8. Félicitations ! (Congratulations!) - Often used after an accomplishment that was "very good."
9. Excellent travail. (Excellent work.) - The professional and formal way to praise a task or project.
10. C'est tout à fait ça. (That's absolutely it / That's exactly right.) - A formal way to approve an idea or conclusion.

The 8 Best Slang and Colloquial Expressions for 'Great'

To sound like a native speaker in 2025, you need to ditch the textbook and embrace modern French slang. These phrases are perfect for casual conversations with friends, expressing approval of a party, a song, or a fun experience. They are the true LSI keywords of French approval.

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11. Génial ! (Brilliant! / Awesome!) - One of the most common and versatile colloquial intensifiers.
12. Super ! (Great! / Super!) - An easy, widely used Anglicism that is fully integrated into the French language.
13. Chouette ! (Great! / Neat!) - A classic, slightly older but still very warm and friendly expression of approval, often used for something simple and pleasant.
14. Cool ! (Cool!) - Another direct Anglicism, used exactly as it is in English.
15. C'est le top. (It's the best / It's the top.) - A modern, simple way to say something is excellent.
16. Nickel ! (Perfect / Spotless!) - Literally means "nickel" (the metal), but colloquially means everything is flawless, often used in response to a plan or a finished task.
17. C'est de la bombe ! (It's the bomb!) - A very enthusiastic, modern slang phrase for something amazing (like a song, a party, or an outfit).
18. Bien joué ! (Well played!) - A common expression used to acknowledge a successful action, a clever move, or a job well done.

7 Essential Phrases for Food, Feelings, and Performance

The context dictates the word. You wouldn't use the same phrase to compliment a chef as you would to compliment a friend's mood. These context-specific phrases ensure you use the right vocabulary at the right time.

Très Bon for the Culinary Arts (Food & Drink)

When discussing the unrivaled quality of French cuisine, *très bon* is your starting point, but these phrases add a true gourmet touch:

19. C'est délicieux ! (It's delicious!) - The standard, elegant compliment for food.
20. C'est trop bon ! (It's too good!) - An enthusiastic, casual way to say "It's so good!"
21. Je me régale. (I'm feasting / I'm really enjoying this food.) - A personal, expressive way to compliment the meal.

Très Bien for Actions and Performance

When you want to praise a performance, a skill, or a job well done, you are describing the *action*, so you must use *bien* or its synonyms.

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22. Vous avez très bien réussi. (You succeeded very well.) - A formal way to praise an achievement.
23. Bravo ! (Bravo!) - Simple, effective, and works for any performance.

Expressing a Great Feeling or Experience

Sometimes, "very good" refers to a state of being or a feeling. These phrases capture that sentiment.

24. Je me sens d'attaque. (I feel great / I feel ready.) - A lively way to express a positive state of mind, literally meaning "I feel ready to attack."
25. C'était s'éclater. (It was a blast / We had a great time.) - The verb *s'éclater* literally means to shatter, but colloquially means to have an amazing, unforgettable time.

The Topical Authority Checklist: 30 Key Entities to Remember

To achieve true topical authority, your knowledge of "very good" must extend beyond simple translation. Here is a checklist of the 30 relevant entities and concepts discussed in this guide that will make you sound like a true French expert:

• Basic Adverb: Très bien
• Basic Adjective: Très bon
• Grammar Concept: Adverb vs. Adjective
• Grammar Concept: Gender Agreement (e.g., *bonne* vs *bon*)
• Formal Adjectives: Parfait, Excellent, Exceptionnel, Remarquable
• Formal Adverb: Tout à fait
• Intensifiers: Très, Trop
• Common Colloquialisms: Génial, Super, Chouette, Cool
• Strong Adjective: Formidable
• Emotional Adjective: Merveilleux/Merveilleuse
• Performance Phrases: Excellent travail, Bien joué
• Performance Interjection: Bravo, Félicitations
• Food Phrases: C'est délicieux, C'est trop bon, Je me régale
• Slang Terms: Nickel, C'est le top, C'est de la bombe
• Feeling/Experience: S'éclater, Je me sens d'attaque
• Common Mistake: Using *très bon* for a person's performance
• LSI Keywords: French language learning, French compliments, French slang, French approval phrases, French cuisine, Parisian slang, French culture.

By integrating these 30 entities and concepts into your vocabulary, you move past the beginner stage of *très bien* and start communicating with the richness and precision of a native speaker. The French language is a living, breathing entity, and keeping up with these modern and nuanced expressions is *absolument génial*!

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