What Does "Bien Entendu" Mean in French?

"Bien entendu" is a common French expression that you'll often hear in formal conversations.

But what does it mean, and how can you use it correctly?

Let's explore this essential phrase and boost your French language skills.

The Meaning of "Bien Entendu"

"Bien entendu" translates to "of course" or "obviously" in English. It's used to express agreement or to confirm something that's considered evident or expected.

How to Pronounce "Bien Entendu"

The pronunciation of "bien entendu" is [bjɛ̃ nɑ̃ tɑ̃ dy] in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). To break it down:

• "Bien" sounds like "byehn"
• "Entendu" sounds like "on-ton-dew"

When to Use "Bien Entendu"

In Formal Conversations

"Bien entendu" is primarily used in formal settings. It's an elegant way to respond affirmatively to questions or statements.

Examples:

1. "Pourriez-vous m'aider ?" (Could you help me?) "Bien entendu, Madame." (Of course, Ma'am.)

2. "Avez-vous fini le travail ?" (Have you finished the work?) "Bien entendu !" (Of course!)

Within Sentences

You can also use "bien entendu" within sentences to emphasize something obvious or expected.

Examples:

1. "Il est, bien entendu, nécessaire d'engager un avocat." (Obviously, we need to hire a lawyer.)

2. "Après l'assemblée générale des actionnaires, bien entendu." (After the shareholders' general meeting, of course.)

3. "Bien entendu, elle a dû démissionner." (She had to resign, of course.)

"Entendu" on Its Own

When "bien entendu" means "agreed" or "understood," you can shorten it to just "entendu."

Examples:

1. "C'est fini, on n'en parlera plus." (It's over, we won't talk about it again.) "Entendu." (Agreed.)

2. "C'est tout ce que j'ai à dire sur ce sujet, entendu ?" (That's all I have to say about this, understood?)

"Il est bien entendu que..."

This phrase means "it is understood that..." or "of course it must be understood that..."

Examples:

1. "Il est bien entendu que ceci reste strictement entre nous." (Of course, it's understood that this stays strictly between us.)

2. "Il est bien entendu que ce projet est confidentiel." (It must be understood that this project is confidential.)

"Bien Entendu" vs. "Bien Sûr"

While both expressions mean "of course," "bien entendu" is more formal than "bien sûr." Unlike "bien sûr," you can't modify "bien entendu" with "que oui" or "que non."

Other Uses of "Bien Entendu"

Sometimes, "bien entendu" isn't a set phrase. It can be the adverb "bien" modifying the past participle of "entendre" (to hear, to understand) or "s'entendre" (to get along).

Examples:

1. "Tu m'as bien entendu !" (You heard me correctly!)

2. "Je ne me suis jamais bien entendu avec mon cousin Philippe." (I never got along well with my cousin Philippe.)