That pesky word, "convenable"....

[mint]

I have yet to use this word in a well....."convenable" way!  I have used it to mean, appropriate, OK, acceptable such as:

Cet hotel est convenable pour les magasins?  And been met with blank looks until I explain that I mean whether the hotel is "convenient" for the shops.

I have had it explained to me a couple of times by French people but I would really like to know how a non NATIVE French speaker uses it and whether it has been understood.

Please help as I rather like the word and would love to use it appropriately or "convenably"[:D]

[andrew44]

Convenable = suitable or appropriate. Sometimes 'reasonable', 'proper' or 'decent'.

So not 'convenient' ('commode', 'pratique' or in your example 'bien situé pour les magasins/près des commerces').

Try your favourite dictionary for further details.. [:)]

@+

Andrew 44

[mint]

You're right, Andrew, practique is the word to use.  I knew that but I just wanted to know how other people used it.  Dictionaries are wonderful things but sometimes you need to hear it in use by other people.

[Cat]

I use it to mean fitting, decent, proper etc.

After a decent interval, après une période convenable.

Do the only right (honourable) thing, faire la seule chose convenable.

[Christine Animal]

Are you sure Cat, you never do anything qui n'est pas très convenable ?   [:D]

 

[Cat]

Often Christine, often :)

[5-element]

My mother was obsessed with looking "convenable" - i.e. presentable.

I interpreted it as being prim and proper.

"pas convenable" also means bad-mannered.

[mint]

Thank you, Cat, Christine and 5-e. 

Now I think I have a clearer idea of how the word is used.  I met a Parisien in our village yesterday whilst dog walking and we got to talking about this and that (as one does in a small village).

He was dressed only in the briefest pair of swimming trunks but he WAS doing some gardening in what he explained was his mother's house and it WAS extremely hot.

We talked about several subjects and the word "convenable" came up, can't remember now in what context but I used it wrongly as usual.  He explained in his best English that it can sometimes refer to someone's behaviour!

Aaarrrggghhh, was it convenable, I mean my talking to a man so scantily clothed in full view of anyone walking past?[:P]

[NormanH]

OOOOH....YOu are a ONE [Www]

[Christine Animal]

That's it Sweets, more to do with behaviour, what is done or not done, such as to turn up à une heure convenable or to dress convenablement.

The hotel's situation cannot be convenable, more pratique, bien situé or facile d'accès.  It's not easy to explain, but I think you've got it now.

 

[mint]

Yes, thank you, Christine.

I shall work it into a conversation the very next time I speak to someone.  How I love trying out new words I have learned![:D]

[cooperlola]

I always feel it's  related to convention, not convenience.