Topic: French

"Bien qu'il soit pauvre, il est heureux."

Translation:Even though he is poor, he is happy.

February 6, 2013

8 Comments

https://www.duolingo.com/Sitesurf
Mod

    The "o" sound in "pauvre" should be pronounced like "coast", not "cost" (except in Marseilles, maybe)

    February 6, 2013
    https://www.duolingo.com/FrenchAddict7

      I don't get why we can't just use est instead of soit...

      July 1, 2014
      https://www.duolingo.com/impulsief

        Because of bien que... It is a conjunction which is using with subjunctive and which is about subjectivity

        August 26, 2014
        https://www.duolingo.com/robynbs

          Think of the translation this way, "Though he be poor, he is happy"

          September 8, 2014
          https://www.duolingo.com/FrenchAddict7

            Thanks :)

            September 8, 2014
            https://www.duolingo.com/arcusimpetus

              I'd imagine that bien que is an expression that triggers the subjunctive, like how "though" in archaic English triggers the subjunctive. Shakespere says: "Murder, though it have no tongue, will speak." (not "has no tongue")

              December 1, 2014
              https://www.duolingo.com/ReidHT
              • 15

              And that is the most important thing ;)

              October 22, 2014
              https://www.duolingo.com/Wonderboy6

                Seems like theres no rule for when soit voie aie ends in either t or e

                February 27, 2015
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