biens

Biens is a French term that designates things capable of being owned or controlled by a person or entity. The concept encompasses both material objects and intangible rights recognized by law, such as real estate or patents. In everyday usage, biens are contrasted with services, but in economics and law they form a core category for ownership, transfer, and value.

In economics, a bien refers to something that satisfies a need and can be consumed or used. Biens are classified in several ways: by consumer focus (biens de consommation vs biens de production), by exclusivity and rivalrous use (biens publics versus biens privés), and by durability (biens durables vs biens non durables). These classifications help analyze resource allocation, market behavior, and policy impacts.

In the civil law tradition, the biens of a person are objects of property rights. They are commonly divided into biens meubles (movable property) and biens immeubles (real property). Movable property includes corporeal goods like a car and incorporeal rights such as claims, while real property includes land and buildings and certain rights attached to them. Additional distinctions may apply, such as biens fongibles (exchangeable goods) versus biens non fongibles (unique items), or biens par destination (goods attached to a thing by use or purpose). Acquisition, possession, transfer, and use of biens are governed by national property and contract law.

The concept of biens is central to private wealth, economic analysis, and public regulation, and it integrates with taxation, inheritance, and civil liability frameworks across jurisdictions.