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Le programme fonctionne mal ce matin.

Le programme fonctionne mal ce matin.
The program is working poorly this morning.
FromLesson 22inHardcore French

Questions & Answers about Le programme fonctionne mal ce matin.

Can I use marche instead of fonctionne here?
Yes. Le programme marche mal ce matin is fine and a bit more colloquial. Fonctionner is neutral/standard and common in writing and tech contexts; marcher is very common in speech. Aller is not used with specific devices or software here; Ça ne va pas means “something’s wrong,” but you wouldn’t say Le programme va mal.
Why is it mal and not mauvais?

Because mal is an adverb modifying the verb fonctionne (how it works: badly). Mauvais is an adjective that modifies nouns. Compare:

  • Adverb: Le programme fonctionne mal.
  • Adjective: C’est un mauvais programme. Similarly: bien (adverb) vs bon/bonne (adjective).
Is ne fonctionne pas bien equivalent to fonctionne mal?

They’re close but not identical in tone:

  • fonctionne mal is more direct/negative.
  • ne fonctionne pas bien is a bit softer. Both mean it’s not working properly. If it’s totally broken, say ne fonctionne pas du tout.
Where should ce matin go in the sentence?

Common positions:

  • End (neutral): Le programme fonctionne mal ce matin.
  • Front (emphasis on time, add a comma): Ce matin, le programme fonctionne mal. Avoid splitting the verb and adverb: Le programme fonctionne ce matin mal sounds odd.
Why present tense with ce matin? Should it be past?

If you’re speaking during the morning, the present is natural: it’s an ongoing situation. If you’re talking later in the day about what happened earlier, use the past:

  • Later in the day: Ce matin, le programme a mal fonctionné.
  • Since this morning (still true now): Le programme fonctionne mal depuis ce matin.
Why le programme and not ce programme or un programme?
  • Le programme: a specific, known program (the one we’ve been using).
  • Ce programme: points to “this program” in particular (contrast or selection).
  • Un programme: introduces a new/unknown program.
What gender is programme, and what articles/determiners go with it?

Programme is masculine.

  • Singular: le programme, un programme, ce programme, mon programme
  • Plural: les programmes, des programmes, ces programmes, mes programmes
Does mal ever agree in gender/number?
No. Mal is an adverb here; adverbs are invariable. Don’t say fonctionne mauvais. Note: pas mal means “pretty good/quite a lot” in many contexts, e.g., Ça marche pas mal = “It works pretty well.”
Pronunciation tips for the sentence?
  • Le: luh
  • programme: proh-GRAHM (the final -e is mute)
  • fonctionne: fongk-SYON
  • mal: mal (clear “l”)
  • ce: suh
  • matin: ma-TAN (nasal “in” at the end) Natural rhythm groups: le programme | fonctionne mal | ce matin.
How do I make it plural?

Change the subject and verb:

Is programme the right word for software? What about logiciel, application, émission?
  • Programme: a program (code/executable); also “schedule/plan.”
  • Logiciel: software (an application or software package) — very common in IT.
  • Application / appli: an app (app on phone/computer).
  • Émission: a TV/radio show. You wouldn’t say an émission “fonctionne mal”; you’d describe the broadcast/signal having issues. All are masculine except application/appli (feminine).
Other natural ways to say “is acting up” in tech contexts?
  • Le programme bugue/bogue ce matin.
  • L’appli rame ce matin. (it’s slow)
  • Le site/serveur est en panne. (down)
  • Le programme plante / a planté. (crashes)
  • Le programme pose des problèmes.
  • Formal/rare: dysfonctionne.
How can I intensify or soften mal?
  • Intensify: fonctionne très/vraiment/particulièrement mal
  • Soften: fonctionne un peu/plutôt mal
  • Completely broken: ne fonctionne pas du tout
  • No longer works: ne fonctionne plus
Is Le programme est mal fonctionné correct?

No. Fonctionner is intransitive; you don’t form a passive like that. Use:

  • Present: Le programme fonctionne mal.
  • Past: Le programme a mal fonctionné.
Any liaison or linking to watch for?

Nothing obligatory. Typical smoothings:

  • le programme (no liaison)
  • fonctionne mal (no liaison)
  • mal ce: you may lightly link the consonant, but no “z” sound.
  • ce matin flows as two words; the “t” in matin is silent, with a nasal vowel at the end.
What’s the difference between ce matin and le matin?
  • Ce matin: this morning (today).
  • Le matin: in the morning/in the mornings (habitual). Example: Le matin, le programme met du temps à démarrer.
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“How does grammatical gender work in French?”
Every French noun is either masculine or feminine, and this affects the articles and adjectives used with it. "Le" is used with masculine nouns and "la" with feminine ones. Adjectives also change form to match — for example, "petit" (masc.) becomes "petite" (fem.).

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