A comprehensive guide to how to ask for prices in French, covering essential vocabulary, common questions, and practical examples to help learners navigate shopping and transactions with confidence.
Asking for prices is a fundamental skill when shopping or making purchases in French-speaking countries. This guide will introduce you to the essential vocabulary, common phrases, and useful questions that will help you inquire about prices confidently.
Key Vocabulary
Here are the most important words related to prices and money that you'll need to ask for prices in French:
| French (Singular/Plural) | English (Singular/Plural) | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| le prix / les prix | the price / the prices | Quel est le prix de ce livre ? | What is the price of this book? |
| la monnaie | the change | Je n'ai pas de monnaie. | I don't have any change. |
| l'argent (m) | the money | Je n'ai pas assez d'argent. | I don't have enough money. |
| coûter | to cost | Combien ça coûte ? | How much does it cost? |
| cher / chère / chers / chères | expensive | Ce sac est très cher. | This bag is very expensive. |
| bon marché | cheap / good deal | Cette chemise est bon marché. | This shirt is cheap. |
| le vendeur / la vendeuse | the seller / salesperson | Le vendeur m'a aidé. | The salesperson helped me. |
| acheter | to buy | Je veux acheter ce jouet. | I want to buy this toy. |
| payer | to pay | Je peux payer en liquide ? | Can I pay in cash? |
| la carte bancaire | credit card | Puis-je payer par carte bancaire ? | Can I pay by credit card? |
Common Questions
These are the questions French speakers use to ask about prices. Practice these to get comfortable asking for prices in different situations:
| Question (French) | Question (English) | Example (French) | Example (English) |
|---|---|---|---|
| C'est combien ? | How much is it? | C'est combien, ce chapeau ? | How much is this hat? |
| Quel est le prix ? | What is the price? | Quel est le prix de cette robe ? | What is the price of this dress? |
| Ça coûte combien ? | How much does it cost? | Ça coûte combien, ce gâteau ? | How much does this cake cost? |
| C'est à combien ? | How much is it? | C'est à combien, ce téléphone ? | How much is this phone? |
| Y a-t-il une réduction ? | Is there a discount? | Y a-t-il une réduction sur ces chaussures ? | Is there a discount on these shoes? |
| Le prix est-il fixe ? | Is the price fixed? | Le prix est-il fixe ou négociable ? | Is the price fixed or negotiable? |
| Puis-je payer en plusieurs fois ? | Can I pay in installments? | Puis-je payer en plusieurs fois ? | Can I pay in installments? |
| Acceptez-vous les cartes ? | Do you accept cards? | Acceptez-vous les cartes bancaires ? | Do you accept credit cards? |
| Avez-vous des soldes ? | Do you have sales? | Avez-vous des soldes en ce moment ? | Do you have sales right now? |
| Peut-on négocier le prix ? | Can we negotiate the price? | Peut-on négocier le prix de ce meuble ? | Can we negotiate the price of this furniture? |
Useful Phrases
These phrases will help you respond and continue the conversation after asking about prices:
| French Phrase | English Translation | Example (French) | Example (English) |
|---|---|---|---|
| C'est trop cher. | It's too expensive. | Ce manteau est trop cher pour moi. | This coat is too expensive for me. |
| C'est un bon prix. | It's a good price. | Pour 20 euros, c'est un bon prix. | For 20 euros, it's a good price. |
| Je regarde seulement, merci. | I'm just looking, thank you. | Merci, je regarde seulement. | Thank you, I'm just looking. |
| Je prends celui-ci. | I'll take this one. | Je prends celui-ci, s'il vous plaît. | I'll take this one, please. |
| Avez-vous une facture ? | Do you have a receipt? | Puis-je avoir une facture, s'il vous plaît ? | Can I have a receipt, please? |
| c'est compris ? | Is it included? | Le service est-il compris dans le prix ? | Is the service included in the price? |
| Est-ce qu'il y a une garantie ? | Is there a warranty? | Est-ce qu'il y a une garantie sur cet appareil ? | Is there a warranty on this device? |
| Puis-je essayer ? | Can I try it on? | Puis-je essayer cette veste ? | Can I try on this jacket? |
| Je reviens tout de suite. | I'll be right back. | Je reviens tout de suite, je réfléchis. | I'll be right back, I'm thinking. |
| Merci, bonne journée ! | Thank you, have a nice day! | Merci, bonne journée ! | Thank you, have a nice day! |
¿Cómo se pregunta '¿Tiene una factura?' en francés?
How do you ask 'Do you have a receipt?' in French?
Avez-vous une facture ?
'Avez-vous une facture ?' means 'Do you have a receipt?'. The other options ask about change, a bag, or if something is included.
'Je prends celui-ci.' significa '___' en inglés.
What does 'Je prends celui-ci.' mean in English?
I'll take this one.
'Je prends celui-ci.' translates to 'I'll take this one.' The other options don't match the meaning of the phrase.
Sample Dialogues
Here are some example conversations to show you how to ask for prices naturally in French:
| French Dialogue | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Client: Bonjour, c'est combien ce vase ?<br>Vendeur: Bonjour, il coûte 35 euros.<br>Client: C'est trop cher. Avez-vous moins cher ?<br>Vendeur: Oui, ce modèle est à 20 euros. | Customer: Hello, how much is this vase?<br>Seller: Hello, it costs 35 euros.<br>Customer: That's too expensive. Do you have a cheaper one?<br>Seller: Yes, this model is 20 euros. |
| Client: Quel est le prix de ce manteau ?<br>Vendeur: 120 euros.<br>Client: Le prix est-il négociable ?<br>Vendeur: Désolé, le prix est fixe. | Customer: What is the price of this coat?<br>Seller: 120 euros.<br>Customer: Is the price negotiable?<br>Seller: Sorry, the price is fixed. |
| Client: Puis-je payer par carte bancaire ?<br>Vendeur: Oui, bien sûr.<br>Client: Avez-vous un sac ?<br>Vendeur: Oui, il est à 2 euros. | Customer: Can I pay by credit card?<br>Seller: Yes, of course.<br>Customer: Do you have a bag?<br>Seller: Yes, it's 2 euros. |
Tips for Conversation
- Use "s'il vous plaît" (please) and "merci" (thank you) to be polite.
- If the price seems too high, you can say "C'est trop cher" (It's too expensive).
- To respond confidently, use "Je prends celui-ci" (I'll take this one) or "Je réfléchis" (I'm thinking).
- Ask "Y a-t-il une réduction ?" (Is there a discount?) if you want to try for a better price.
- Use numbers you've learned in your French class to understand and say prices correctly (e.g., "vingt-cinq euros" for 25 euros).
With these words, questions, and phrases, you'll be able to ask for prices and handle basic shopping conversations in French with confidence!
Flashcards (1 of 33)
- English (Singular/Plural): the price / the prices
- English Example: What is the price of this book?
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
