In French, beaucoup and très serve different functions: beaucoup quantifies an amount while très intensifies a quality. Choosing the right one depends on whether you're modifying a noun, an adjective, or a verb.
Beaucoup
Beaucoup means "a lot" or "much" and is primarily used to quantify nouns or to modify verbs when placed after them. It can be followed by de + noun when measuring an amount.
Modifying Nouns
When beaucoup modifies a noun, it is followed by de and then the noun without an article. This construction expresses a large quantity.
| French Word(s) | English Word(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| beaucoup de temps | a lot of time | |
| beaucoup d'argent | a lot of money | |
| beaucoup de livres | a lot of books |
There are a lot of apples on the table.
Modifying Verbs
Beaucoup can also modify a verb to indicate that an action happens frequently or to a great extent. It typically comes after the verb.
| French Word(s) | English Word(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| Je travaille beaucoup. | I work a lot. | |
| Elle parle beaucoup. | She talks a lot. | |
| Ils voyagent beaucoup. | They travel a lot. |
Modifying Adjectives
Beaucoup can modify an adjective or past participle when placed before it, usually in comparative or evaluative contexts.
| French Word(s) | English Word(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| beaucoup plus grand | much bigger | |
| beaucoup mieux | much better | |
| beaucoup plus intéressant | much more interesting |
Très
Très means "very" and is used to intensify adjectives, adverbs, and sometimes past participles. It cannot directly quantify nouns.
Modifying Adjectives
Très precedes an adjective to strengthen its meaning and must agree with the noun in gender and number.
| French Word(s) | English Word(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| très grand | very big | |
| très jolie | very pretty | |
| très intéressants | very interesting |
Modifying Adverbs
Très can also modify adverbs to increase their intensity when placed directly before the adverb.
| French Word(s) | English Word(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| très rapidement | very quickly | |
| très bien | very well | |
| très lentement | very slowly |
Modifying Past Participles
Très can modify past participles when they function as adjectives, strengthening their meaning.
| French Word(s) | English Word(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| très fatigué | very tired | |
| très content | very happy | |
| très surpris | very surprised |
Summary
Use beaucoup to express large quantities or to modify verbs for frequency or amount, and use très to intensify adjectives and adverbs. Remember that beaucoup is followed by de when modifying nouns, while très directly precedes adjectives or adverbs without changing their form.
Last updated: Fri Oct 24, 2025