French Phrase
Pas encore ? C’est bon ?
Meaning
Literally “Not yet? Is it good?” It is a quick, informal way to check whether something (a meal, a task, a piece of news) is ready or acceptable. The speaker first wonders if the expected moment has arrived, then asks for confirmation that it’s now fine.
When to use
Use this pair of questions when you’re waiting for something to be prepared – a dish in a restaurant, a document at work, or even a friend’s reply. It’s casual, so it fits well with friends, family, or a relaxed service setting.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Pasencore?C’estbon?
Pas encore
A negative adverbial phrase meaning “not yet”. It combines the negation pas with the adverb encore.
C’est
Contraction of “cela est”. Used for both “it is” and “that is” in everyday speech.
Bon (adjective)
When used after “c’est”, bon can mean “good”, “okay”, or “ready”, depending on context.
Question intonation
Both clauses are spoken with a rising intonation, signalling a short, informal question.
🗨In Conversation
Pas encore ? C’est bon ?
Not yet? Is it ready?
Oui, c’est prêt. Tu peux commencer à manger.
Yes, it’s ready. You can start eating.
✕Common Mistakes
Pas encore ? C’est bien ?
“Bien” asks about quality, not readiness. Use “bon” when you mean “ready/okay”.
Pas encore, est‑ce que c’est bon ?
Avoid adding “est‑ce que” after the first clause; it would be redundant: “Pas encore, est‑ce que c’est bon ?”.
Not yet? It is good?
Do not translate literally as “Not yet? It is good?” when you mean “Is it ready?”. The nuance comes from context, not a word‑for‑word translation.
↔Alternatives
Pas encore ? Ça va ?
Not yet? Is it okay?
Pas encore ? C’est prêt ?
Not yet? Is it ready?
Pas encore ? On y va ?
Not yet? Shall we go?
Cultural Tip
In French, “C’est bon ?” can be used for more than taste – it often means “Is it okay?” or “Is it ready?”. In a café, a server might ask “C’est bon ?” after bringing a dish to see if the customer is satisfied. The tone is friendly and informal; in a formal setting you’d use “Est‑ce que c’est bon ?”.