Published May 21, 2025 • Updated October 19, 2026 — By French teacher David Issokson with native audio by Marie Assel Cambier
Bilan meaning
Bilan (m.) is a French noun meaning “assessment,” “review,” or “summary.” It refers to an evaluation of results, progress, or a situation over a period of time. The expression faire le bilan de means “to take stock of” or “to assess.” For example, “Il est temps de faire le bilan de l’année” (It’s time to take stock of the year).
Bilan pronunciation
The IPA pronunciation of bilan is /bi.lɑ̃/, which sounds approximately like “bee-lahn,” with a nasal “an” sound at the end.
Bilan example sentences
Le bilan du mois de la société est positif : les bénéficés commencent à rebondir.
The monthly balance sheet of the company is positive. Profits are starting to rebound.
Je vais chez le médecin une fois par an pour faire un bilan de santé.
I go to the doctor once per year for a check-up.
This sentence uses the commonly used le bilan de santé, meaning both check-up and medical report.
Le président va bientôt présenter son bilan économique.
The president will soon present his economic results.
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🔗 Related words and expressions
- le résultat — result, outcome
- le résumé — summary
- l’évaluation (f.) — assessment, evaluation
- le constat — observation, finding
- le compte rendu — report, summary
- le diagnostic — diagnosis, assessment
- faire le point — to take stock, review the situation
- dresser un bilan — to draw up an assessment
- tirer des conclusions — to draw conclusions
- peser le pour et le contre — to weigh the pros and cons
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