três

Très is a French adverb used to intensify adjectives, adverbs, or past participles, roughly equivalent to the English “very.” It typically precedes the word it modifies, and it can be placed before an adjective in a noun phrase or after a verb in predicate position (as in very well).

Etymology and form: The form is traced to Old French tres, with the modern spelling bearing a circumflex over the e. The circumflex marks a historical loss of a consonant in the spelling. The word functions exclusively as an adverb and does not modify nouns directly.

Usage and syntax: Très is used to add emphasis in a range of contexts. Before an adjective, it signals a high degree: très grand, très beau, très rapide. Before an adverb or a past participle, it strengthens the manner or result: très bien, très lentement, très aimé. In noun phrases, très typically accompanies an adjective that qualifies the noun (for example, un très grand livre), while in predicative position it follows the verb to describe the subject: Le livre est très intéressant. In formal or careful speech, accentuation is standard, and liaison with following vowels is uncommon.

Pronunciation: The pronunciation is generally [tʁɛ], with the final s usually silent. In careful speech, a liaison may occur before a following vowel, but standard pronunciation does not require it.

Common usage notes: Très is versatile and widely used in both spoken and written French. In informal language, synonyms such as énormément or superlatives formed with adverbs may appear, but très remains the default intensifier for everyday speech.