Mieux ou Meilleur: How to choose the correct one?

When you compare “mieux” and “meilleur,” it can be easy to get confused. Both words mean “better” in English, but they are used in different contexts. “Mieux” is generally used to compare actions or verbs, while “meilleur” is used to compare nouns. Understanding these distinctions can improve your French communication skills.

In daily conversations, choosing the right word can enhance your clarity. Think of it this way: if you’re talking about how someone performs a task, you’d use mostly “mieux.” If you’re discussing the quality of a person, place, or thing, “meilleur” is the correct choice. However, make sure you also pay attention to a few exceptions.

Understanding the nuances of these two words can be a challenge for French learners, so let’s explore both terms together today !

When learning French, knowing the difference between “mieux” and “meilleur” is crucial. Firstly, let’s study “mieux”, its grammatical purposes and different usages.

“Mieux” is mainly an adverb, meaning “better,” used to compare actions. “Mieux” is a bit easier to use than “meilleur” as it is invariable. Indeed, you don’t need to change it in gender or number. “Meilleur” and “mieux” can be associated with respectively “bon” and “bien” in French. For instance :

• “Il va bien” means “He feels good”.
• “Il va mieux” translates to “He feels better”.

Note : “Plus bien” or “plus bon” don’t exist in French. The literal translation from English doesn’t work unfortunately.

We can use “mieux” as a comparative, to compare with another person, period or person, and as a superlative. You use “mieux” when focusing on actions.

• Comparative without context :

Marie cuisine mieux (Marie cooks better)

• Comparative with a person, a period of time or a place :

Marie cuisine mieux que moi, mieux qu’avant (Marie cooks better than me, than before)

• Superlative

C’est Marie qui cuisine le mieux. (Marie cooks the best)

In French, “c’est mieux” can be followed with several structures. “Être” is conjugated in these examples at the present tense. However, we could, of course, have other tenses such as the present conditional with “ce serait mieux” (it would be better).

• Il est / C’est mieux de + infinitif :

We use “c’est mieux de” to give a general advice, with no definite subject. We also could have “il est mieux de” for a bit more formal context.

For example : c’est mieux de manger léger le soir (it’s better to eat light in the evening).

• C’est mieux si + indicatif :

This structure enables you to make a suggestion, an opinion.

For instance : c’est mieux si tu te reposes ce week-end (it’s better if you rest this weekend).

• C’est mieux que + subjonctif :

On the other hand, “c’est mieux que” is nearly a stronger advice, nearly a command, like in the imperative mood :

“C’est mieux que tu ailles voir un médecin” (it’s better that you go see a doctor).

Understanding the rules around the use of “meilleur” is important for correct grammar. This term follows specific patterns, especially in its forms and agreements.

In French, “meilleur” translates to “better” as an adjective. Therefore, it describes generally a noun.

For example, “Il fait de meilleures tartes” (He makes better tarts). Here we compare a noun, a thing (the tarts).

Unlike “mieux”, you adjust “meilleur” based on gender and number. The feminine form is meilleure, and the plural forms are meilleurs (masculine) and meilleures (feminine). For superlative, the article also needs to be updated as follows :

The pronunciation is identical for all forms of “meilleur”. It’s only when you write it that you notice the difference.

The word “meilleur” serves different purposes in French. Understanding the following nuances helps you use them correctly in conversation and writing. “Meilleur” qualifies someone or something as a better/the best. A few different structures are possible such as :

• General comparative (statement, without context) :

Ce vin est meilleur frais. (This wine is best chilled).

• A comparative :

Ce vin de 1978 est meilleur que celui de 1999. (This wine from 1978 is better than the one from 1999).

• Superlative :

Ce vin est le meilleur de notre cave. (This one is the best from our cellar).

• With a conjonction :

Le vin, c’est meilleur avec du fromage. (Wine is better with cheese).

As often in French, we have a few exceptions. Indeed, with the verbs “sentir” and “faire”, meilleur is considered as an adverb meaning “nicer, more pleasant, better”. So, when talking about smell and weather, meilleur is used as follows :

• “Il fait meilleur aujourd’hui” (the weather is better today).
• “Ce parfum sent meilleur” (this perfume smells better).

I hope you now have a clearer understanding of the difference between “meilleur” and “mieux” and feel confident using them. Which one do you find easier to use: “meilleur” or “mieux”? Feel free to reach out if you have any more questions!