Bargaining is an important skill for shopping in markets and small shops in French-speaking countries. This guide covers key vocabulary and phrases to help you ask about prices, make offers, and negotiate politely.
Common Bargaining Phrases
These are the most useful phrases for starting a negotiation, making an offer, and asking for a better price.
Examples
| French Singular | French Plural | English Singular | English Plural | Example (French) | Example (English) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combien ça coûte ? | — | How much does it cost? | — | Combien ça coûte ce sac ? | How much does this bag cost? |
| C’est trop cher. | — | It’s too expensive. | — | C’est trop cher pour moi. | It’s too expensive for me. |
| Vous pouvez baisser le prix ? | — | Can you lower the price? | — | Vous pouvez baisser le prix un peu ? | Can you lower the price a bit? |
| Je peux avoir une réduction ? | — | Can I have a discount? | — | Je peux avoir une réduction ? | Can I have a discount? |
| Je prends ça. | — | I’ll take this. | — | Je prends ça. | I’ll take this. |
Numbers and Prices
Knowing numbers is essential for bargaining. Here are numbers and price-related words you’ll use frequently.
Examples
| French Singular | French Plural | English Singular | English Plural | Example (French) | Example (English) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| un euro | deux euros | one euro | two euros | Ça coûte dix euros. | It costs ten euros. |
| cent | cent | hundred | hundred | Ça coûte cent euros. | It costs one hundred euros. |
| vingt | vingt | twenty | twenty | Je donne vingt euros. | I give twenty euros. |
| prix | prix | price | prices | Quel est le prix ? | What is the price? |
| monnaie | — | change | — | Je n’ai pas la monnaie. | I don’t have change. |
How do you say 'change' (as in money returned) in French?
monnaie
“monnaie” refers to the change you get back after a purchase.
Negotiation Verbs
These verbs are commonly used when negotiating prices. Knowing them will help you form your own sentences.
Examples
| French Singular | French Plural | English Singular | English Plural | Example (French) | Example (English) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| coûter | — | to cost | — | Ça coûte vingt euros. | It costs twenty euros. |
| baisser | — | to lower | — | Pouvez-vous baisser le prix ? | Can you lower the price? |
| payer | — | to pay | — | Je peux payer en espèces. | I can pay in cash. |
| négocier | — | to negotiate | — | On peut négocier le prix ? | Can we negotiate the price? |
| offrir | — | to offer | — | Je vous offre quinze euros. | I offer you fifteen euros. |
What is the French verb for 'to negotiate'?
négocier
“négocier” means to negotiate, especially useful in bargaining situations.
Polite Expressions
Being polite makes bargaining more pleasant. Use these phrases to be courteous during your negotiation.
Examples
| French Singular | French Plural | English Singular | English Plural | Example (French) | Example (English) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| s’il vous plaît | — | please | — | Baissez le prix, s’il vous plaît. | Lower the price, please. |
| merci | — | thank you | — | Merci beaucoup ! | Thank you very much! |
| excusez-moi | — | excuse me | — | Excusez-moi, ce prix est trop élevé. | Excuse me, this price is too high. |
| c’est gentil | — | that’s kind | — | C’est gentil, mais c’est encore cher. | That’s kind, but it’s still expensive. |
| bonne journée | — | have a good day | — | Merci, bonne journée ! | Thank you, have a good day! |
Sample Dialogue
Here’s a short example of a bargaining conversation in a French market.
Marchand : “Bonjour ! Ce sac coûte trente euros.”
Acheteur : “Trente euros ? C’est trop cher. Vous pouvez baisser le prix ?”
Marchand : “Je peux vous le faire à vingt-cinq euros.”
Acheteur : “Vingt euros, et c’est réglé.”
Marchand : “D’accord, vingt euros. Merci !”
Summary
You’re now ready with the key vocabulary and phrases for bargaining in French, including how to ask prices, make offers, and be polite.
Flashcards (1 of 20)
- English Singular: How much does it cost?
- English Plural: —
- Example (English): How much does this bag cost?
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
