Bonjour.
re. mal vs mauvais/mauvaise: Is the adverb "mal" used as an adjective with the copular verb être, to say "bad"?
For example, to say "good", do we only use the adjective of "good" with être (a copular verb): "Pierre est bon. C'est un bon homme." But, when saying "bad" instead of "good" with être, do we use "mal" (adverb) instead of mauvais to say "He is bad", but use "mauvais" when a noun is present? : "Il est mal. C'est un mauvais homme."
I find this topic confusing.
Cheryl
Hi Cheryl ,
In the examples you give, you cannot say il est mal - it would be: Il est mauvais = He is bad
and
C'est un homme mauvais /c'est un mauvais homme. = He is a bad/wicked man.
Hope this helps!
Thank you again Cécile. You are always helpful!
Bonne journée.
Cheryl
Bonjour.
re. mal vs mauvais/mauvaise: Is the adverb "mal" used as an adjective with the copular verb être, to say "bad"?
For example, to say "good", do we only use the adjective of "good" with être (a copular verb): "Pierre est bon. C'est un bon homme." But, when saying "bad" instead of "good" with être, do we use "mal" (adverb) instead of mauvais to say "He is bad", but use "mauvais" when a noun is present? : "Il est mal. C'est un mauvais homme."
I find this topic confusing.
Cheryl
Don't have an account yet? Join today
Test your French to the CEFR standard
Find your French level