very in french

The French word for “very” is usually très. Place it before an adjective or adverb to intensify it: très bon (“very good”), très vite (“very quickly”). Use vraiment when you mean “really” or want to emphasize that something is true: C’est vraiment intéressant (“It’s really interesting”).

Très and Vraiment

Très is the direct, common translation of “very.” It is pronounced roughly treh; the final s is silent. Vraiment means “really” or “truly” and is pronounced approximately vreh-mahn, with a nasal final vowel.

How to Use Très

Put très directly before most adjectives or adverbs. It does not change for gender or number: très petit and très petites both use très. For a stronger positive description, compare great in French. It generally cannot directly intensify a verb; for that, use an adverb or phrase such as beaucoup (“a lot”).

Using Vraiment

Vraiment often emphasizes truth or sincerity and can modify adjectives, verbs, or a whole statement. For example, Je suis vraiment fatigué means “I’m really tired,” and Je l’aime vraiment means “I really love him/her/it.”

Different Ways to Use very

Core Meaning and Context

The central translation introduced above is the best place to start, but always read the surrounding sentence before choosing a word. A dictionary entry gives a useful equivalent; context shows which sense the speaker intends. Notice the subject, the action, and the words immediately before and after very. These clues help distinguish a literal meaning from a familiar phrase, and they prevent a translation from sounding awkward. When a word has more than one sense, compare the full examples rather than memorizing a single English gloss.

Common Sentence Patterns

Learn very as part of a short phrase instead of memorizing it alone. Pay attention to word order, articles, particles, verb forms, or grammatical endings in the examples. A form that works before one kind of word may need to change in another sentence. When you make your own example, keep the pattern simple and replace only one detail at a time; this makes it easier to see how the expression behaves. Reusing a complete pattern is usually more reliable than translating each word independently.

Choosing the Right Tone

Language choices also depend on who is speaking and the situation. A phrase used with friends may feel too casual in a work email, while a formal expression can sound stiff in relaxed conversation. The examples on this page show practical usage, but local habits vary by region and community. If you are unsure, choose a neutral expression and listen to how fluent speakers use it in comparable situations. The relationship between speakers can matter as much as the dictionary definition.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

A common mistake is translating each English word separately and keeping English word order. Instead, identify the whole idea first, then use the natural construction in french. Also check spelling marks, capitalization, gender, number, and pronunciation where relevant. Read the complete sentence aloud once you have chosen a form. If it does not fit the context or sounds unlike the examples, revisit the meaning rather than forcing a direct one-to-one match. Keep a note of the phrase and its context so you can recognize when it applies again.

very in french: Quick Comparison

Use this quick guide to select the expression that fits the situation. The central translation is a useful starting point, while grammar and context determine the natural form.

How to Pronounce very

Use the pronunciation guide and audio button near the top of the article. First listen without speaking, then repeat the word slowly and at a natural speed. Finally, practice it inside one of the example sentences. This last step matters because speech rhythm and neighboring sounds can change how a word feels when it is spoken naturally. Focus on the syllables and vowel sounds shown in the guide instead of relying only on English spelling.

For a short practice routine, say the word once by itself, repeat the complete phrase, and then use it in a new sentence. Keep the rhythm smooth; stressing every syllable equally can make a phrase sound unnatural. Listening and repeating the full example helps connect pronunciation with meaning and grammar.

Examples

• Ce café est très bon. — This coffee is very good.
• Elle parle très lentement. — She speaks very slowly.
• C’est vraiment important. — It’s really important.
• Tu as vraiment beaucoup travaillé. — You really worked a lot.

Summary: Very in French

Use très for “very” before adjectives and adverbs. Choose vraiment for “really” or “truly,” especially when stressing that something is genuine.