une bas réponse
a bas answer
Literally: a bad answer
Use it to identify an incorrect fact or a socially poor reply in any everyday situation.
In 15 Seconds
- Means a wrong, incorrect, or poor-quality answer.
- Place 'mauvaise' before the noun 'réponse' every time.
- Used in classrooms, trivia, or when someone is being rude.
Meaning
This phrase is used to describe a wrong, incorrect, or poor-quality answer. It is the standard way to tell someone they missed the mark on a question or gave a mean-spirited reply.
Key Examples
3 of 6Playing a trivia game with friends
Désolé, c'est une mauvaise réponse pour cette question !
Sorry, that's a wrong answer for this question!
Correcting a student's homework
Attention, c'est une mauvaise réponse, regarde encore le texte.
Careful, that's a wrong answer, look at the text again.
Reacting to a mean comment from a sibling
Quelle mauvaise réponse ! Tu es vraiment méchant aujourd'hui.
What a bad response! You are really mean today.
Cultural Background
The phrase reflects the French emphasis on intellectual precision and the 'esprit critique.' In French education, there is often a strong distinction between 'juste' (correct) and 'faux' (incorrect), making this a very common classroom expression. Interestingly, the French also use it playfully in social debates to signal they disagree with your logic.
The BAGS Rule
Remember the BAGS rule: Beauty, Age, Goodness, and Size adjectives usually go BEFORE the noun. 'Mauvaise' falls under Goodness!
Don't be too blunt
In a professional meeting, saying 'C'est une mauvaise réponse' can sound aggressive. Try 'Je ne suis pas d'accord' instead.
In 15 Seconds
- Means a wrong, incorrect, or poor-quality answer.
- Place 'mauvaise' before the noun 'réponse' every time.
- Used in classrooms, trivia, or when someone is being rude.
What It Means
Une mauvaise réponse is simply how you say "a bad answer" or "a wrong answer." You use it when someone gets a fact or a question incorrect. It can also describe a reply that is rude, mean, or unhelpful. Essentially, it covers anything from a math error to a social snub. Think of it as the direct opposite of a "good" or "correct" answer. It is a basic but essential phrase for any beginner in French.
How To Use It
In French, you place the adjective mauvaise right before the noun réponse. Most adjectives go after nouns, but mauvais is a special exception to the rule. Make sure to use the feminine form mauvaise to match the feminine noun réponse. You will mostly use it with the verb être, like c'est.... For example, C'est une mauvaise réponse means "That is a wrong answer." You can also add très to say it is a "very" bad answer.
When To Use It
Use it during a fun trivia night when a friend misses a question. It is perfect for a classroom setting when you are checking homework. You can use it when someone gives a very unhelpful or lazy excuse. It also works when someone makes a bad joke that totally fails. If you are playing a board game, you will say this a lot. It is a neutral phrase that fits almost any everyday situation.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it if the answer is technically correct but just short. Avoid it in very delicate professional situations where you should be softer. In those cases, try saying Ce n'est pas tout à fait ça. Using it too bluntly with a stranger might sound a bit rude. It is better to use it with people you know fairly well. Don't confuse it with mauvais répondant, which is about credit scores!
Cultural Background
French culture and the school system place a high value on "la justesse." This means being precise and correct is very important in French life. In schools, hearing mauvaise réponse is a standard part of the day. However, in cafes and bars, French people love a good, long debate. They might say mauvaise réponse just to provoke a fun, friendly argument. It is part of the "esprit critique" or critical thinking they value.
Common Variations
Une réponse fausse is used specifically for factual or logical errors. Une réponse bidon is a great slang term for a fake or "trash" answer. Une réponse à côté means the person completely missed the point. Une réponse cinglante describes a very sharp, biting, or witty comeback. Une bonne réponse is, of course, the positive version you want to hear! La réponse D is a funny meme reference to game shows.
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral and widely used. Just remember that in French, the adjective 'mauvaise' must agree with the feminine noun 'réponse' and typically precedes it.
The BAGS Rule
Remember the BAGS rule: Beauty, Age, Goodness, and Size adjectives usually go BEFORE the noun. 'Mauvaise' falls under Goodness!
Don't be too blunt
In a professional meeting, saying 'C'est une mauvaise réponse' can sound aggressive. Try 'Je ne suis pas d'accord' instead.
The 'Réponse de Normand'
If someone gives an answer that is neither 'yes' nor 'no,' the French call it a 'réponse de Normand.' It's a classic cultural joke!
Examples
6Désolé, c'est une mauvaise réponse pour cette question !
Sorry, that's a wrong answer for this question!
A standard way to indicate a factual error in a game.
Attention, c'est une mauvaise réponse, regarde encore le texte.
Careful, that's a wrong answer, look at the text again.
Used as a gentle correction in an educational context.
Quelle mauvaise réponse ! Tu es vraiment méchant aujourd'hui.
What a bad response! You are really mean today.
Here, it refers to the quality/tone of the reply, not its accuracy.
Mdr, c'était vraiment une mauvaise réponse de ma part.
Lol, that was really a bad answer on my part.
Self-deprecating humor about saying something awkward.
Une mauvaise réponse entraîne la perte d'un point.
A wrong answer results in the loss of one point.
Formal instruction regarding scoring rules.
Encore une mauvaise réponse ! Il va perdre tout son argent.
Another wrong answer! He's going to lose all his money.
Expressing frustration or excitement as a spectator.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct form of the adjective to complete the phrase.
C'est une ___ réponse.
Since 'réponse' is a feminine noun, you must use the feminine form 'mauvaise'.
Where does the adjective go in this phrase?
C'est une ___ (1) réponse ___ (2).
In French, 'mauvais/mauvaise' is one of the adjectives that usually comes before the noun.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of 'Une mauvaise réponse'
Used with friends during games.
C'est une réponse bidon !
Standard everyday use.
C'est une mauvaise réponse.
Professional or academic settings.
C'est une réponse erronée.
When to use 'Une mauvaise réponse'
Trivia Night
Wrong fact!
Classroom
Incorrect homework.
Argument
A mean comeback.
Texting
Awkward reply.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNot always. It can mean 'wrong' (factually incorrect) or 'bad' (poor quality or mean-spirited).
It is grammatically possible but sounds very unnatural. Always put 'mauvaise' before 'réponse'.
'Fausse' specifically means 'false' or 'factually incorrect,' while 'mauvaise' is broader and can include 'mean' or 'low quality'.
It is neutral. It’s not an insult, but it is very direct. Use it carefully with strangers.
Simply swap the adjective: 'une bonne réponse.' It also goes before the noun!
Yes, if you are correcting a mistake, but 'ce n'est pas la bonne réponse' sounds slightly more professional.
No, 'bas' is masculine and 'réponse' is feminine. Even 'basse réponse' is rare; 'mauvaise réponse' is what you want.
It's a slang term for a 'fake' or 'garbage' answer that someone just made up on the spot.
Yes, it becomes 'de mauvaises réponses.' Note that 'des' changes to 'de' when the adjective comes before the noun.
Yes, usually when discussing data or test results, but it's less common in interpersonal feedback.
Related Phrases
une bonne réponse
une réponse fausse
une réponse bidon
répondre à côté
une réponse de Normand
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