How and when to choose MEILLEUR and MIEUX

When should you use meilleur? Mieux? What’s the difference between bien and bon?

They are all related … and it’s natural to be confused by them because in English the translation is the same: “best” for meilleur and mieux!

Confused?  Not for long! Let's dive in.

The comparatives MEILLEUR and MIEUX

Before we focus on our topic, it’s a good idea to review “bon” and “bien”. Why? Because they belong to the same family.

First, “bien” means well in English. Generally, it’s an adverb or to put it in a simple way we describe the verb or the action.

• Je parle bien anglais >>> I speak English well. 

Secondly, “bon” is used as an adjective because it gives information about a person or object. In English, the word is “good”.

• Mon anglais est bon >>> My English is good. 

Hopefully, you understand the difference between the two and you are ready to tackle the subject of this mini-lesson: “meilleur” vs “mieux”. 

The 2 French words “meilleur” and “mieux” are respectively the comparatives of “bon” and “bien”. In other words, they are the better version when we compare 2 things!

Therefore, if we take the same previous examples and transform them with the comparatives, we’ll get:

• Je parle mieux anglais (que le français)  >>> I speak English better (than French). 

Mon anglais est meilleur (que mon français) >>> My English is better.

How to use MEILLEUR and MIEUX

As you have just seen, it’s easier in English because not only do we have the same word “better” but it’s also invariable!

In French, it’s another story…

On one hand, “mieux” doesn’t change, on the other hand, “meilleur” changes all the time! Let’s explain how they both work.

In the first place, “mieux” doesn’t change when we use it as a comparative or superlative like these examples:

• Je parle mieux anglais (que le français)  >>> I speak English better (than French). 
• Le mieux que je peux parler c’est l’anglais >>> The best I can speak is English.

Note that for the superlative, the article “le· is required.

Now, as far as “meilleur” is concerned, you have to pay attention to the gender and number of the noun since the adjective differs whether it’s masculine, feminine, singular or plural.

Here are some examples for you:

• Juliette est meilleure en mathématiques  >>> Juliette is better at maths.
• Bruno est meilleur en sports >>> Bruno is better at sports. 
• Juliette et Sonia sont meilleures en biologie  >>> Juliette and Sonia are better at biology.
• Bruno et Lucas sont meilleurs en physique >>> Bruno and Lucas are better at physics.

For the superlatives, you should pick the right article as well like this:

• Juliette est la meilleure en mathématiques  >>> Juliette is the best at maths.
• Bruno est le meilleur en sports >>> Bruno is the best at sports.
• Juliette et Sonia sont les meilleures en biologie  >>> Juliette and Sonia are the best at biology.
• Bruno et Lucas sont les meilleurs en physique >>> Bruno and Lucas are the best at physics.

 MIEUX works with verbs

As we have already mentioned, “mieux” describes the verb or the action. Indeed it tells us that someone or something is doing something better.

Here are 2 examples for you to illustrate this:

• Je parle bien français >>> I speak French well.
• Je parle mieux anglais >>> I speak English better.  

The French phrase “C’est mieux de”. 

In this case, the translation is almost the same in English apart from the preposition.

You want the preposition “de” after “c’est mieux”.  Besides, this preposition becomes “d’” if your verbs starts with a vowel or h.

Finally, you will see an infinitive (a verb that is not conjugated) after the preposition “de” or “d”.

• C’est mieux de poser des questions maintenant >>> It’s better to ask questions straight away.  
• C’est mieux d’étudier un peu tous les jours que de le faire pendant des heures une fois par semaine >>> It’s better to study a little everyday than to do it for hours once per week.  
• C’est mieux d’essayer et échouer que de ne jamais essayer pour bien apprendre >>> It’s better to try and fail, than never even try, in order to learn.  

How to use MEILLEUR as an adjective

Contrary to “mieux”, “meilleur” is an adjective that implies 2 things. The first one is that it gives us information about a person or thing and the second one is that it varies according to gender and number.

And because “meilleur” is an adjective, it describes a noun, in other words, a person or object or even a concept!

What’s the plural of MEILLEUR?

Do you remember how we transform “meilleur” into the plural? Simply add an “s”!

• Ce sont les meilleures raquettes.  >>> They’re the best snow shoes.
• Ce sont les meilleurs bonbons. >>> They’re the best sweets.

So, to summarise, “mieux” is easier than “meilleur” because it never changes and its structure is shorter. Besides, you can use it in the expression “c’est mieux de” meaning “it’s better to”. Don’t forget to add an infinitive after it to complete the whole sentence.

Concerning “meilleur”, it requires more effort since the structure is longer like in the expression “c’est un/le meilleur” translated by “It’s a / the best…”. What matters is that you choose the right form of this adjective depending on its gender and number. By the way, the pronunciation is the same. However, it’s a grammar mistake if you don’t have the right form!

Finally, if there’s one thing you should remember above all is the following: “mieux” goes with a verb and “meilleur” always works with nouns (people or objects).   

Hopefully, you understand the difference between “meilleur” and “mieux” better and that you are ready to play with them.

So, what's easier for you to use? “meilleur” or “mieux”?

Get in touch if you want to ask more!