French Phrase: “Etre à l’Aise”

"Etre à l'aise" means to "to be at ease" or "to be comfortable" in English. It is used to describe a state of physical or mental comfort.

Being physically comfortable

When used literally, "être à l'aise" means to feel physically comfortable in a situation. For example, if you are sitting in a cozy chair or wearing comfortable clothes, you might say:

"On est à l'aise dans ce fauteuil."

One feels comfortable in this armchair.

"Je suis vraiment à l'aise dans cette tenue."

I'm really comfortable in this outfit.

Figurative meaning of "être à l'aise"

Figuratively, the phrase is often used to describe feeling confident or relaxed in a particular situation or environment.

For instance, if someone feels comfortable speaking in public, you can say:

"Il est très à l'aise en public".

He is very comfortable in public.

Being comfortable with doing something

"Être à l'aise" can describe how someone feels comfortable around someone or some people. If a person feels relaxed and not anxious being around people, they might say:

"Moi je suis à l'aise avec les gens."

I am comfortable with people.

Being proficient in a certain domain

It is also used when talking about being comfortable in a particular subject area. Here, you use "être à l'aise" with "en", followed but the subject area, e.g. Science, Maths, Computer Science etc.

"Elle est à l'aise en anglais"

She is comfortable in English.

"Ils sont à l'aise en littérature française."

They are comfortable with French literature.

"Mon père est à l'aise en golf."

My father is comfortable with golf.

Being skilled with something

"Etre à l'aise" is often use to mean feeling capable and confident with something. In this case, "être à l'aise" is often followed by "avec" (with):

"Elle est à l'aise avec les chiffres"

She is comfortable with numbers

"Je suis à l'aise avec la conduite."

I am comfortable with driving.

Feeling confident or relaxed

You can use "être à l'aise" to express confidence in a particular situation or environment:

"Nous sommes à l'aise en Espagne."

We're comfortable in Spain.

"Ma femme n'est pas très à l'aise en société."

My wife isn't very comfortable in social settings.

"On voit qu'ils sont très à l'aise dans l'eau."

You can tell they're very comfortable in the water.

Se sentir à l'aise

This is similar to "être à l'aise" but it emphasizes the subjective feeling of comfort. It means "to feel comfortable."

"C'est drôle, on se sent tout de suite à l'aise ici."

It's funny, one immediately feels comfortable here."

Mettre quelqu'un à l'aise

Mettre quelqu'un à l'aise means "to put someone at ease", that is, helping someone feel comfortable in a situation.

"Le président m'a tout de suite mise à l'aise."

The president immediately put me at ease.